Income from discharge of indebtedness
Exclusion from gross income
In general
Gross income does not include any amount which (but for this subsection) would be includible in gross income by reason of the discharge (in whole or in part) of indebtedness of the taxpayer if—
the discharge occurs in a title 11 case,
the discharge occurs when the taxpayer is insolvent,
the indebtedness discharged is qualified farm indebtedness,
in the case of a taxpayer other than a C corporation, the indebtedness discharged is qualified real property business indebtedness, or
the indebtedness discharged is qualified principal residence indebtedness which is discharged—
before
subject to an arrangement that is entered into and evidenced in writing before
Coordination of exclusions
Title 11 exclusion takes precedence
Insolvency exclusion takes precedence over qualified farm exclusion and qualified real property business exclusion
Principal residence exclusion takes precedence over insolvency exclusion unless elected otherwise
Insolvency exclusion limited to amount of insolvency
Reduction of tax attributes
In general
Tax attributes affected; order of reduction
Except as provided in paragraph (5), the reduction referred to in paragraph (1) shall be made in the following tax attributes in the following order:
NOL
General business credit
Minimum tax credit
Capital loss carryovers
Basis reduction
In general
Cross reference
Passive activity loss and credit carryovers
Foreign tax credit carryovers
Amount of reduction
In general
Credit carryover reduction
Ordering rules
Reductions made after determination of tax for year
Reductions under subparagraph (A) or (D) of paragraph (2)
Reductions under subparagraphs (B) and (G) of paragraph (2)
Election to apply reduction first against depreciable property
In general
Limitation
Other tax attributes not reduced
Treatment of discharge of qualified real property business indebtedness
Basis reduction
In general
Cross reference
Limitations
Indebtedness in excess of value
The amount excluded under subparagraph (D) of subsection (a)(1) with respect to any qualified real property business indebtedness shall not exceed the excess (if any) of—
the outstanding principal amount of such indebtedness (immediately before the discharge), over
the fair market value of the real property described in paragraph (3)(A) (as of such time), reduced by the outstanding principal amount of any other qualified real property business indebtedness secured by such property (as of such time).
Overall limitation
Qualified real property business indebtedness
The term “qualified real property business indebtedness” means indebtedness which—
was incurred or assumed by the taxpayer in connection with real property used in a trade or business and is secured by such real property,
was incurred or assumed before
with respect to which such taxpayer makes an election to have this paragraph apply.
Such term shall not include qualified farm indebtedness. Indebtedness under subparagraph (B) shall include indebtedness resulting from the refinancing of indebtedness under subparagraph (B) (or this sentence), but only to the extent it does not exceed the amount of the indebtedness being refinanced.
Qualified acquisition indebtedness
Regulations
Meaning of terms; special rules relating to certain provisions
Indebtedness of taxpayer
For purposes of this section, the term “indebtedness of the taxpayer” means any indebtedness—
for which the taxpayer is liable, or
subject to which the taxpayer holds property.
Title 11 case
Insolvent
Repealed. Pub. L. 99–514, title VIII, § 822(b)(3)(A), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2373]
Depreciable property
Certain provisions to be applied at partner level
Special rules for S corporation
Certain provisions to be applied at corporate level
Reduction in carryover of disallowed losses and deductions
Coordination with basis adjustments under section 1367(b)(2)
Reductions of tax attributes in title 11 cases of individuals to be made by estate
Time for making election, etc.
Time
Revocation only with consent
Manner
Cross reference
General rules for discharge of indebtedness (including discharges not in title 11 cases or insolvency)
For purposes of this title—
No other insolvency exception
Income not realized to extent of lost deductions
Adjustments for unamortized premium and discount
Acquisition of indebtedness by person related to debtor
Treated as acquisition by debtor
Members of family
Entities under common control treated as related
Purchase-money debt reduction for solvent debtor treated as price reduction
If—
the debt of a purchaser of property to the seller of such property which arose out of the purchase of such property is reduced,
such reduction does not occur—
in a title 11 case, or
when the purchaser is insolvent, and
but for this paragraph, such reduction would be treated as income to the purchaser from the discharge of indebtedness,
then such reduction shall be treated as a purchase price adjustment.
Indebtedness contributed to capital
Except as provided in regulations, for purposes of determining income of the debtor from discharge of indebtedness, if a debtor corporation acquires its indebtedness from a shareholder as a contribution to capital—
section 118 shall not apply, but
such corporation shall be treated as having satisfied the indebtedness with an amount of money equal to the shareholder’s adjusted basis in the indebtedness.
Recapture of gain on subsequent sale of stock
In general
If a creditor acquires stock of a debtor corporation in satisfaction of such corporation’s indebtedness, for purposes of section 1245—
such stock (and any other property the basis of which is determined in whole or in part by reference to the adjusted basis of such stock) shall be treated as section 1245 property,
the aggregate amount allowed to the creditor—
as deductions under subsection (a) or (b) of section 166 (by reason of the worthlessness or partial worthlessness of the indebtedness), or
as an ordinary loss on the exchange,
shall be treated as an amount allowed as a deduction for depreciation, and
an exchange of such stock qualifying under section 354(a), 355(a), or 356(a) shall be treated as an exchange to which section 1245(b)(3) applies.
The amount determined under clause (ii) shall be reduced by the amount (if any) included in the creditor’s gross income on the exchange.
Special rule for cash basis taxpayers
Stock of parent corporation
Treatment of successor corporation
Partnership rule
Indebtedness satisfied by corporate stock or partnership interest
For purposes of determining income of a debtor from discharge of indebtedness, if—
a debtor corporation transfers stock, or
a debtor partnership transfers a capital or profits interest in such partnership,
to a creditor in satisfaction of its recourse or nonrecourse indebtedness, such corporation or partnership shall be treated as having satisfied the indebtedness with an amount of money equal to the fair market value of the stock or interest. In the case of any partnership, any discharge of indebtedness income recognized under this paragraph shall be included in the distributive shares of taxpayers which were the partners in the partnership immediately before such discharge.
Discharge of indebtedness income not taken into account in determining whether entity meets REIT qualifications
Indebtedness satisfied by issuance of debt instrument
In general
Issue price
Student loans
In general
Student loan
For purposes of this subsection, the term “student loan” means any loan to an individual to assist the individual in attending an educational organization described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(ii) made by—
the United States, or an instrumentality or agency thereof,
a State, territory, or possession of the United States, or the District of Columbia, or any political subdivision thereof,
a public benefit corporation—
which is exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(3),
which has assumed control over a State, county, or municipal hospital, and
whose employees have been deemed to be public employees under State law, or
any educational organization described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(ii) if such loan is made—
pursuant to an agreement with any entity described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) under which the funds from which the loan was made were provided to such educational organization, or
pursuant to a program of such educational organization which is designed to encourage its students to serve in occupations with unmet needs or in areas with unmet needs and under which the services provided by the students (or former students) are for or under the direction of a governmental unit or an organization described in section 501(c)(3) and exempt from tax under section 501(a).
The term “student loan” includes any loan made by an educational organization described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(ii) or by an organization exempt from tax under section 501(a) to refinance a loan to an individual to assist the individual in attending any such educational organization but only if the refinancing loan is pursuant to a program of the refinancing organization which is designed as described in subparagraph (D)(ii).
Exception for discharges on account of services performed for certain lenders
Payments under national health service corps loan repayment program and certain state loan repayment programs
Discharges on account of death or disability
In general
In the case of an individual, gross income does not include any amount which (but for this subsection) would be includible in gross income for such taxable year by reason of the discharge (in whole or in part) of any loan described in subparagraph (B), if such discharge was—
pursuant to subsection (a) or (d) of section 437 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 or the parallel benefit under part D of title IV of such Act (relating to the repayment of loan liability),
pursuant to section 464(c)(1)(F) of such Act, or
otherwise discharged on account of death or total and permanent disability of the student.
Loans discharged
A loan is described in this subparagraph if such loan is—
a student loan (as defined in paragraph (2)), or
a private education loan (as defined in section 140(a) of the Consumer Credit Protection Act (15 U.S.C. 1650(a)).1
Social security number requirement
In general
Social security number
Special rules for discharge of qualified farm indebtedness
Discharge must be by qualified person
In general
Qualified person
Qualified farm indebtedness
For purposes of this section, indebtedness of a taxpayer shall be treated as qualified farm indebtedness if—
such indebtedness was incurred directly in connection with the operation by the taxpayer of the trade or business of farming, and
50 percent or more of the aggregate gross receipts of the taxpayer for the 3 taxable years preceding the taxable year in which the discharge of such indebtedness occurs is attributable to the trade or business of farming.
Amount excluded cannot exceed sum of tax attributes and business and investment assets
In general
The amount excluded under subparagraph (C) of subsection (a)(1) shall not exceed the sum of—
the adjusted tax attributes of the taxpayer, and
the aggregate adjusted bases of qualified property held by the taxpayer as of the beginning of the taxable year following the taxable year in which the discharge occurs.
Adjusted tax attributes
Qualified property
Coordination with insolvency exclusion
Special rules relating to qualified principal residence indebtedness
Basis reduction
Qualified principal residence indebtedness
Exception for certain discharges not related to taxpayer’s financial condition
Ordering rule
Principal residence
Deferral and ratable inclusion of income arising from business indebtedness discharged by the reacquisition of a debt instrument
In general
At the election of the taxpayer, income from the discharge of indebtedness in connection with the reacquisition after
in the case of a reacquisition occurring in 2009, the fifth taxable year following the taxable year in which the reacquisition occurs, and
in the case of a reacquisition occurring in 2010, the fourth taxable year following the taxable year in which the reacquisition occurs.
Deferral of deduction for original issue discount in debt for debt exchanges
In general
If, as part of a reacquisition to which paragraph (1) applies, any debt instrument is issued for the applicable debt instrument being reacquired (or is treated as so issued under subsection (e)(4) and the regulations thereunder) and there is any original issue discount determined under subpart A of part V of subchapter P of this chapter with respect to the debt instrument so issued—
except as provided in clause (ii), no deduction otherwise allowable under this chapter shall be allowed to the issuer of such debt instrument with respect to the portion of such original issue discount which—
accrues before the 1st taxable year in the 5-taxable-year period in which income from the discharge of indebtedness attributable to the reacquisition of the debt instrument is includible under paragraph (1), and
does not exceed the income from the discharge of indebtedness with respect to the debt instrument being reacquired, and
the aggregate amount of deductions disallowed under clause (i) shall be allowed as a deduction ratably over the 5-taxable-year period described in clause (i)(I).
If the amount of the original issue discount accruing before such 1st taxable year exceeds the income from the discharge of indebtedness with respect to the applicable debt instrument being reacquired, the deductions shall be disallowed in the order in which the original issue discount is accrued.
Deemed debt for debt exchanges
Applicable debt instrument
For purposes of this subsection—
Applicable debt instrument
The term “applicable debt instrument” means any debt instrument which was issued by—
a C corporation, or
any other person in connection with the conduct of a trade or business by such person.
Debt instrument
Reacquisition
For purposes of this subsection—
In general
The term “reacquisition” means, with respect to any applicable debt instrument, any acquisition of the debt instrument by—
the debtor which issued (or is otherwise the obligor under) the debt instrument, or
a related person to such debtor.
Acquisition
Other definitions and rules
For purposes of this subsection—
Related person
Election
In general
An election under this subsection with respect to any applicable debt instrument shall be made by including with the return of tax imposed by chapter 1 for the taxable year in which the reacquisition of the debt instrument occurs a statement which—
clearly identifies such instrument, and
includes the amount of income to which paragraph (1) applies and such other information as the Secretary may prescribe.
Election irrevocable
Pass-thru entities
Coordination with other exclusions
Acceleration of deferred items
In general
Special rule for pass-thru entities
Special rule for partnerships
Secretarial authority
The Secretary may prescribe such regulations, rules, or other guidance as may be necessary or appropriate for purposes of applying this subsection, including—
extending the application of the rules of paragraph (5)(D) to other circumstances where appropriate,
requiring reporting of the election (and such other information as the Secretary may require) on returns of tax for subsequent taxable years, and
rules for the application of this subsection to partnerships, S corporations, and other pass-thru entities, including for the allocation of deferred deductions.
Source
(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 32; June 29, 1956, ch. 463, § 5, 70 Stat. 403; Pub. L. 88–496, § 1(a),Notes
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Amendments
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2025 Amendment
Effective Date of 2021 Amendment
Effective Date of 2020 Amendment
Effective Date of 2019 Amendment
Effective Date of 2018 Amendment
Effective Date of 2017 Amendment
Effective Date of 2015 Amendment
Extension.—
The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to discharges of indebtedness after
Modification.—
The amendment made by subsection (b) [amending this section] shall apply to discharges of indebtedness after
Effective Date of 2014 Amendment
Effective Date of 2013 Amendment
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Effective Date of 2009 Amendment
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Effective Date of 2007 Amendment
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
Effective Date of 2002 Amendment
In general.—
Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendment made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to discharges of indebtedness after
Exception.—
The amendment made by this section shall not apply to any discharge of indebtedness before
Effective Date of 1998 Amendment
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
In general.—
Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, the amendments made by this subsection [amending this section and section 382 of this title] shall apply to stock transferred after
Exception for title 11 cases.—
The amendments made by this subsection shall not apply to stock transferred in satisfaction of any indebtedness if such transfer is in a title 11 or similar case (as defined in section 368(a)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) which was filed on or before
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
In general.—
Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section [amending this section and section 1275 of this title] shall apply to debt instruments issued, and stock transferred, after
Exceptions.—
The amendments made by this section shall not apply to any debt instrument issued, or stock transferred, in satisfaction of any indebtedness if such issuance or transfer (as the case may be)—
is in a title 11 or similar case (as defined in section 368(a)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) which was filed on or before
is pursuant to a written binding contract in effect on
is pursuant to a transaction which was described in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or before
is pursuant to a transaction—
the material terms of which were described in a written public announcement on or before
which was the subject of a prior filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and
which is the subject of a subsequent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission before
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
In general.—
Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to transfers after the date of the enactment of this Act [
Transitional rule.—
The amendment made by subsection (a) shall not apply to the transfer by a corporation of its stock in exchange for debt of the corporation after the date of the enactment of this Act if such transfer is—
pursuant to a written contract requiring such transfer which was binding on the corporation at all times on
pursuant to the exercise of an option to exchange debt for stock but only if such option was in effect at all times on
Certain transfers to controlling shareholder.—
The amendment made by subsection (a) shall not apply to any transfer before
such transfer is to another corporation which at all times on
immediately after such transfer, the transferee corporation owns 80 percent or more of the total value of the stock of the transferor corporation.
Certain transfers pursuant to debt restructure agreement.—
The amendment made by subsection (a) shall not apply to the transfer by a corporation of its stock in exchange for debt of the corporation after the date of the enactment of this Act and before
such transfer is covered by a debt restructure agreement entered into by the corporation during November 1983, and
such agreement was specified in a registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by the corporation on
Effective Date of 1983 Amendment
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Effective Date of 1980 Amendment
For Section 2 (Relating to Tax Treatment of Discharge of Indebtedness).—
In general.—
Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by section 2 [amending this section and sections 111, 118, 382, 703 and 1017 of this title] shall apply to any transaction which occurs after
Transitional rule.—
In the case of any discharge of indebtedness to which subparagraph (A) or (B) of section 108(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954] (relating to exclusion from gross income), as amended by section 2, applies and which occurs before
section 108(b)(2) of the such Code (relating to reduction of tax attributes), as so amended, shall be applied without regard to subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), and (E) thereof, and
the basis of any property shall not be reduced under section 1017 of such Code (relating to reduction in basis in connection with discharges of indebtedness), as so amended, below the fair market value of such property on the date the debt is discharged.
For Section 3 (Relating to Rules Relating to Title 11 Cases for Individuals).—
The amendments made by section 3 [enacting sections 1398 and 1399 of this title and amending sections 443, 6012 and 6103 of this title] shall apply to any bankruptcy case commencing more than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [
For Section 4 (Relating to Corporate Reorganization Provisions).—
In general.—
The amendments made by section 4 [enacting section 370 of this title and amending sections 354, 355, 357, 368 and 381 of this title] shall apply to any bankruptcy case or similar judicial proceeding commencing after
Exchanges of property for accrued interest.—
The amendments made by subsection (e) of section 4 [amending sections 354 and 355 of this title] (relating to treatment of property attributable to accrued interest) shall also apply to any exchange—
which occurs after
which does not occur in a bankruptcy case or similar judicial proceeding (or in a proceeding under the Bankruptcy Act) commenced on or before
For Section 5 (Relating to Miscellaneous Corporate Amendments).—
For subsection (a) (relating to exemption from personal holding company tax).—
The amendments made by subsection (a) of section 5 [amending section 542 of this title] shall apply to any bankruptcy case or similar judicial proceeding commenced after
For subsection (b) (relating to repeal of special treatment for certain railroad redemptions).—
The amendments made by subsection (b) of section 5 [amending section 302 of this title] shall apply to stock which is issued after
For subsection (c) (relating to application of 12-month liquidation rule).—
The amendment made by subsection (c) of section 5 [amending section 337 of this title] shall apply to any bankruptcy case or similar judicial proceeding commenced after
For subsection (d) (relating to permitting bankruptcy estate to be subchapter s shareholder).—
The amendment made by subsection (d) of section 5 [amending section 1371 of this title] shall apply to any bankruptcy case commenced on or after
For subsection (e) (relating to certain transfers to controlled corporations).—
The amendments made by subsection (e) of section 5 [amending section 351 of this title] shall apply as provided in subsection (a) of this section.
For subsection (f) (relating to effect of debt discharge on earnings and profits).—
The amendment made by subsection (f) of section 5 [amending section 312 of this title] shall apply as provided in subsection (a) of this section.
For Section 6 (Relating to Changes in Tax Procedures).—
The amendments made by section 6 [enacting sections 6658 and 7464 of this title, amending sections 128, 354, 422, 1023, 3302, 6012, 6036, 6155, 6161, 6212, 6213, 6216, 6326 [now 6327], 6404, 6503, 6512, 6532, 6871, 6872, 6873, 7430, and 7508 of this title, repealing section 1018 of this title, and redesignating former section 7464 of this title as 7465] shall take effect on
Election To Substitute September 30, 1979, for December 31, 1980.—
In general.—
The debtor (or debtors) in a bankruptcy case or similar judicial proceeding may (with the approval of the court) elect to apply subsections (a), (c), and (d) by substituting ‘
Effect of election.—
Any election made under paragraph (1) with respect to any proceeding shall apply to all parties to the proceeding.
Revocation only with consent.—
Any election under this subsection may be revoked only with the consent of the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate.
Time and manner of election.—
Any election under this subsection shall be made at such time, and in such manner, as the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate may by regulations prescribe.
Definitions.—
For purposes of this section—
Bankruptcy case.—
The term ‘bankruptcy case’ means any case under title 11 of the United States Code (as recodified by Public Law 95–598).
Similar judicial proceeding.—
The term ‘similar judicial proceeding’ means a receivership, foreclosure, or similar proceeding in a Federal or State court (as modified by section 368(a)(3)(D) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986).”
Effective Date of 1976 Amendment
Effective Date of 1960 Amendment
Savings Provision
Exclusion of Certain Cancellations of Indebtedness
In General.—
For purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986—
gross income shall not include any amount which (but for this section) would be includible in gross income by reason of the discharge (in whole or in part) of indebtedness of any taxpayer if the discharge is by reason of the death of an individual incurred as the result of the terrorist attacks against the United States on
return requirements under section 6050P of such Code shall not apply to any discharge described in paragraph (1).
Effective Date.—
This section shall apply to discharges made on or after