Effect on earnings and profits
General rule
Except as otherwise provided in this section, on the distribution of property by a corporation with respect to its stock, the earnings and profits of the corporation (to the extent thereof) shall be decreased by the sum of—
the amount of money,
the principal amount of the obligations of such corporation (or, in the case of obligations having original issue discount, the aggregate issue price of such obligations), and
the adjusted basis of the other property, so distributed.
Distributions of appreciated property
On the distribution by a corporation, with respect to its stock, of any property (other than an obligation of such corporation) the fair market value of which exceeds the adjusted basis thereof—
the earnings and profits of the corporation shall be increased by the amount of such excess, and
subsection (a)(3) shall be applied by substituting “fair market value” for “adjusted basis”.
For purposes of this subsection and subsection (a), the adjusted basis of any property is its adjusted basis as determined for purposes of computing earnings and profits.
Adjustments for liabilities
In making the adjustments to the earnings and profits of a corporation under subsection (a) or (b), proper adjustment shall be made for—
the amount of any liability to which the property distributed is subject, and
the amount of any liability of the corporation assumed by a shareholder in connection with the distribution.
Certain distributions of stock and securities
In general
The distribution to a distributee by or on behalf of a corporation of its stock or securities, of stock or securities in another corporation, or of property, in a distribution to which this title applies, shall not be considered a distribution of the earnings and profits of any corporation—
if no gain to such distributee from the receipt of such stock or securities, or property, was recognized under this title, or
if the distribution was not subject to tax in the hands of such distributee by reason of section 305(a).
Stock or securities
Repealed. Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title I, § 61(a)(2)(B), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 581]
Effect on earnings and profits of gain or loss and of receipt of tax-free distributions
Effect on earnings and profits of gain or loss
The gain or loss realized from the sale or other disposition (after
for the purpose of the computation of the earnings and profits of the corporation, shall (except as provided in subparagraph (B)) be determined by using as the adjusted basis the adjusted basis (under the law applicable to the year in which the sale or other disposition was made) for determining gain, except that no regard shall be had to the value of the property as of
for purposes of the computation of the earnings and profits of the corporation for any period beginning after
Gain or loss so realized shall increase or decrease the earnings and profits to, but not beyond, the extent to which such a realized gain or loss was recognized in computing taxable income under the law applicable to the year in which such sale or disposition was made. Where, in determining the adjusted basis used in computing such realized gain or loss, the adjustment to the basis differs from the adjustment proper for the purpose of determining earnings and profits, then the latter adjustment shall be used in determining the increase or decrease above provided. For purposes of this subsection, a loss with respect to which a deduction is disallowed under section 1091 (relating to wash sales of stock or securities), or the corresponding provision of prior law, shall not be deemed to be recognized.
Effect on earnings and profits of receipt of tax-free distributions
Where a corporation receives (after
no such increase shall be made in respect of the part of such distribution which (under such law) is directly applied in reduction of the basis of the stock in respect of which the distribution was made; and
no such increase shall be made if (under such law) the distribution causes the basis of the stock in respect of which the distribution was made to be allocated between such stock and the property received (or such basis would, but for section 307(b), be so allocated).
Earnings and profits—increase in value accrued before March 1, 1913
If any increase or decrease in the earnings and profits for any period beginning after
If the application of subsection (f) to a sale or other disposition after
Allocation in certain corporate separations and reorganizations
Section 355
Section 368(a)(1)(C) or (D)
Distribution of proceeds of loan insured by the United States
If a corporation distributes property with respect to its stock and if, at the time of distribution—
there is outstanding a loan to such corporation which was made, guaranteed, or insured by the United States (or by any agency or instrumentality thereof), and
the amount of such loan so outstanding exceeds the adjusted basis of the property constituting security for such loan,
then the earnings and profits of the corporation shall be increased by the amount of such excess, and (immediately after the distribution) shall be decreased by the amount of such excess. For purposes of paragraph (2), the adjusted basis of the property at the time of distribution shall be determined without regard to any adjustment under section 1016(a)(2) (relating to adjustment for depreciation, etc.). For purposes of this subsection, a commitment to make, guarantee, or insure a loan shall be treated as the making, guaranteeing, or insuring of a loan.
Repealed. Pub. L. 108–357, title IV, § 413(c)(4), Oct. 22, 2004, 118 Stat. 1507]
Effect of depreciation on earnings and profits
General rule
Exception
Exception for tangible property
In general
Treatment of amounts deductible under section 179, 179B, 179C, 179D, or 179E
Certain foreign corporations
Basis adjustment not taken into account
Discharge of indebtedness income
Does not increase earnings and profits if applied to reduce basis
Reduction of deficit in earnings and profits in certain cases
If—
the interest of any shareholder of a corporation is terminated or extinguished in a title 11 or similar case (within the meaning of section 368(a)(3)(A)), and
there is a deficit in the earnings and profits of the corporation,
then such deficit shall be reduced by an amount equal to the paid-in capital which is allocable to the interest of the shareholder which is so terminated or extinguished.
No adjustment for interest paid on certain registration-required obligations not in registered form
Adjustments to earnings and profits to more accurately reflect economic gain and loss
For purposes of computing the earnings and profits of a corporation, the following adjustments shall be made:
Construction period carrying charges
In general
In the case of any amount paid or incurred for construction period carrying charges—
no deduction shall be allowed with respect to such amount, and
the basis of the property with respect to which such charges are allocable shall be increased by such amount.
Construction period carrying charges defined
For purposes of this paragraph, the term “construction period carrying charges” means all—
interest paid or accrued on indebtedness incurred or continued to acquire, construct, or carry property,
property taxes, and
similar carrying charges,
to the extent such interest, taxes, or charges are attributable to the construction period for such property and would be allowable as a deduction in determining taxable income under this chapter for the taxable year in which paid or incurred.
Construction period
Intangible drilling costs and mineral exploration and development costs
Intangible drilling costs
Any amount allowable as a deduction under section 263(c) in determining taxable income (other than costs incurred in connection with a nonproductive well)—
shall be capitalized, and
shall be allowed as a deduction ratably over the 60-month period beginning with the month in which such amount was paid or incurred.
Mineral exploration and development costs
Any amount allowable as a deduction under section 616(a) or 617 in determining taxable income—
shall be capitalized, and
shall be allowed as a deduction ratably over the 120-month period beginning with the later of—
the month in which production from the deposit begins, or
the month in which such amount was paid or incurred.
Certain amortization provisions not to apply
LIFO inventory adjustments
In general
LIFO recapture amount
For purposes of this paragraph, the term “LIFO recapture amount” means the amount (if any) by which—
the inventory amount of the inventory assets under the first-in, first-out method authorized by section 471, exceeds
the inventory amount of such assets under the LIFO method.
Definitions
For purposes of this paragraph—
LIFO method
Inventory assets
Inventory amount
The inventory amount of assets under the first-in, first-out method authorized by section 471 shall be determined—
if the corporation uses the retail method of valuing inventories under section 472, by using such method, or
if subclause (I) does not apply, by using cost or market, whichever is lower.
Installment sales
Completed contract method of accounting
Redemptions
Special rule for certain foreign corporations
In the case of a foreign corporation described in subsection (k)(4)—
paragraphs (4) and (6) shall apply only in the case of taxable years beginning after
paragraph (5) shall apply only in the case of taxable years beginning after
Definition of original issue discount and issue price for purposes of subsection (a)(2)
Source
(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 95; Pub. L. 87–403, § 3(a),Notes
References in Text
Amendments
Effective Date of 2014 Amendment
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Effective Date of 2005 Amendment
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Effective Date of 1985 Amendment
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Adjustments to earnings and profits.—
Paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of section 312(n).—
The provisions of paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of section 312(n) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954] (as added by subsection (a)) shall apply to amounts paid or incurred in taxable years beginning after
Paragraph (4) of section 312(n).—
The provisions of paragraph (4) of section 312(n) of such Code (as so added) shall apply to distributions after
LIFO inventory.—
The provisions of paragraph (5) of section 312(n) of such Code (as so added) shall apply to taxable years beginning after
Installment sales.—
The provisions of paragraph (6) of section 312(n) of such Code (as so added) shall apply to sales after
Completed contract method.—
The provisions of paragraph (7) of section 312(n) of such Code (as so added) shall apply to contracts entered into after
Subsection (b).—
The amendments made by subsection (b) [amending this section] shall apply to property placed in service in taxable years beginning after
Subsection (c).—
The amendments made by subsection (c) [amending this section and section 1275 of this title] shall apply with respect to distributions declared after