Certain stock purchases treated as asset acquisitions
General rule
For purposes of this subtitle, if a purchasing corporation makes an election under this section (or is treated under subsection (e) as having made such an election), then, in the case of any qualified stock purchase, the target corporation—
shall be treated as having sold all of its assets at the close of the acquisition date at fair market value in a single transaction, and
shall be treated as a new corporation which purchased all of the assets referred to in paragraph (1) as of the beginning of the day after the acquisition date.
Basis of assets after deemed purchase
In general
For purposes of subsection (a), the assets of the target corporation shall be treated as purchased for an amount equal to the sum of—
the grossed-up basis of the purchasing corporation’s recently purchased stock, and
the basis of the purchasing corporation’s nonrecently purchased stock.
Adjustment for liabilities and other relevant items
Election to step-up the basis of certain target stock
In general
Determination of basis amount
For purposes of subparagraph (A), the basis amount determined under this subparagraph shall be an amount equal to the grossed-up basis determined under subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) multiplied by a fraction—
the numerator of which is the percentage of stock (by value) in the target corporation attributable to the purchasing corporation’s nonrecently purchased stock, and
the denominator of which is 100 percent minus the percentage referred to in clause (i).
Grossed-up basis
For purposes of paragraph (1), the grossed-up basis shall be an amount equal to the basis of the corporation’s recently purchased stock, multiplied by a fraction—
the numerator of which is 100 percent, minus the percentage of stock (by value) in the target corporation attributable to the purchasing corporation’s nonrecently purchased stock, and
the denominator of which is the percentage of stock (by value) in the target corporation attributable to the purchasing corporation’s recently purchased stock.
Allocation among assets
Definitions of recently purchased stock and nonrecently purchased stock
For purposes of this subsection—
Recently purchased stock
Nonrecently purchased stock
Repealed. Pub. L. 99–514, title VI, § 631(b)(2), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2272]
Purchasing corporation; target corporation; qualified stock purchase
For purposes of this section—
Purchasing corporation
Target corporation
Qualified stock purchase
Deemed election where purchasing corporation acquires asset of target corporation
In general
Exceptions
Paragraph (1) shall not apply with respect to any acquisition by the purchasing corporation if—
such acquisition is pursuant to a sale by the target corporation (or the target affiliate) in the ordinary course of its trade or business,
the basis of the property acquired is determined wholly by reference to the adjusted basis of such property in the hands of the person from whom acquired,
such acquisition was before
such acquisition is described in regulations prescribed by the Secretary and meets such conditions as such regulations may provide.
Anti-avoidance rule
Consistency required for all stock acquisitions from same affiliated group
If a purchasing corporation makes qualified stock purchases with respect to the target corporation and 1 or more target affiliates during any consistency period, then (except as otherwise provided in subsection (e))—
any election under this section with respect to the first such purchase shall apply to each other such purchase, and
no election may be made under this section with respect to the second or subsequent such purchase if such an election was not made with respect to the first such purchase.
Election
When made
Manner
Election irrevocable
Definitions and special rules
For purposes of this section—
12-month acquisition period
Acquisition date
Purchase
In general
The term “purchase” means any acquisition of stock, but only if—
the basis of the stock in the hands of the purchasing corporation is not determined (I) in whole or in part by reference to the adjusted basis of such stock in the hands of the person from whom acquired, or (II) under section 1014(a) (relating to property acquired from a decedent),
the stock is not acquired in an exchange to which section 351, 354, 355, or 356 applies and is not acquired in any other transaction described in regulations in which the transferor does not recognize the entire amount of the gain or loss realized on the transaction, and
the stock is not acquired from a person the ownership of whose stock would, under section 318(a) (other than paragraph (4) thereof), be attributed to the person acquiring such stock.
Deemed purchase under subsection (a)
Certain stock acquisitions from related corporations
In general
Certain distributions
Clause (i) of subparagraph (A) shall not apply to an acquisition of stock described in clause (i) of this subparagraph if the corporation acquiring such stock—
made a qualified stock purchase of stock of the related corporation, and
made an election under this section (or is treated under subsection (e) as having made such an election) with respect to such qualified stock purchase.
Related corporation defined
Consistency period
In general
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the term “consistency period” means the period consisting of—
the 1-year period before the beginning of the 12-month acquisition period for the target corporation,
such acquisition period (up to and including the acquisition date), and
the 1-year period beginning on the day after the acquisition date.
Extension where there is plan
Affiliated group
Target affiliate
In general
Certain foreign corporations, etc.
Except as otherwise provided in regulations (and subject to such conditions as may be provided in regulations)—
the term “target affiliate” does not include a foreign corporation or a DISC, and
stock held by a target affiliate in a foreign corporation or a domestic corporation which is a DISC or described in section 1248(e) shall be excluded from the operation of this section.
Repealed. Pub. L. 100–647, title I, § 1006(e)(20), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3403]
Acquisitions by affiliated group treated as made by 1 corporation
Target not treated as member of affiliated group
Elective recognition of gain or loss by target corporation, together with nonrecognition of gain or loss on stock sold by selling consolidated group
In general
Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, an election may be made under which if—
the target corporation was, before the transaction, a member of the selling consolidated group, and
the target corporation recognizes gain or loss with respect to the transaction as if it sold all of its assets in a single transaction,
then the target corporation shall be treated as a member of the selling consolidated group with respect to such sale, and (to the extent provided in regulations) no gain or loss will be recognized on stock sold or exchanged in the transaction by members of the selling consolidated group.
Selling consolidated group
For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term “selling consolidated group” means any group of corporations which (for the taxable period which includes the transaction)—
includes the target corporation, and
files a consolidated return.
To the extent provided in regulations, such term also includes any affiliated group of corporations which includes the target corporation (whether or not such group files a consolidated return).
Information required to be furnished to the Secretary
Under regulations, where an election is made under subparagraph (A), the purchasing corporation and the common parent of the selling consolidated group shall, at such times and in such manner as may be provided in regulations, furnish to the Secretary the following information:
The amount allocated under subsection (b)(5) to goodwill or going concern value.
Any modification of the amount described in clause (i).
Any other information as the Secretary deems necessary to carry out the provisions of this paragraph.
Elective formula for determining fair market value
Repealed. Pub. L. 99–514, title VI, § 631(e)(5), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2273]
Tax on deemed sale not taken into account for estimated tax purposes
Repealed. Pub. L. 108–27, title III, § 302(e)(4)(B)(i), May 28, 2003, 117 Stat. 763]
Combined deemed sale return
Coordination with foreign tax credit provisions
Regulations
The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of this section, including—
regulations to ensure that the purpose of this section to require consistency of treatment of stock and asset sales and purchases may not be circumvented through the use of any provision of law or regulations (including the consolidated return regulations) and
regulations providing for the coordination of the provisions of this section with the provision of this title relating to foreign corporations and their shareholders.
Source
(Added Pub. L. 97–248, title II, § 224(a),Notes
Prior Provisions
Amendments
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
In general.—
Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section [amending this section and sections 1060 and 6724 of this title] shall apply to acquisitions after
Binding contract exception.—
The amendments made by this section shall not apply to any acquisition pursuant to a written binding contract in effect on
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
In general.—
The amendments made by this subsection [amending this section and sections 269 and 318 of this title] shall not apply to any qualified stock purchase (as defined in section 338(d)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954]) where the acquisition date (as defined in section 338(h)(2) of such Code) is before
Extension of time for making election.—
In the case of any qualified stock purchase described in subparagraph (A), the time for making an election under section 338 of such Code shall not expire before the close of the 60th day after the date of the enactment of this Act [
Effective Date of 1983 Amendment
Effective Date
In general.—
The amendments made by this section [enacting this section and amending sections 168, 318, 334, 336, 337, 381, and 617 of this title] shall apply to any target corporation (within the meaning of section 338 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954] as added by this section) with respect to which the acquisition date (within the meaning of such section) occurs after
Certain acquisitions before september 1, 1982.—
If—
an acquisition date (within the meaning of section 338 of such Code without regard to paragraph (5) of this subsection) occurred after
the target corporation (within the meaning of section 338 of such Code) is not liquidated before
the purchasing corporation (within the meaning of section 338 of such Code) makes, not later than
then the amendments made by this section shall apply to the acquisition of such target corporation.
Certain acquisitions of financial institutions.—
In any case in which—
there is, on
the approval of one or more regulatory authorities is required in order to complete such acquisition, and
within 90 days after the date of the final approval of the last such regulatory authority granting final approval, a plan of complete liquidation of such financial institution is adopted,
then the purchasing corporation may elect not to have the amendments made by this section apply to the acquisition pursuant to such contract.
Extension of time for making elections; revocation of elections.—
Extension.—
The time for making an election under section 338 of such Code shall not expire before the close of
Revocation.—
Any election made under section 338 of such Code may be revoked by the purchasing corporation if revoked before
Rules for acquisitions described in paragraph (2).—
In general.—
For purposes of applying section 338 of such Code with respect to any acquisition described in paragraph (2)—
the date selected under subparagraph (B) of this paragraph shall be treated as the acquisition date,
a rule similar to the last sentence of section 334(b)(2) of such Code (as in effect on
subsections (e), (f), and (i) of such section 338, and paragraphs (4), (6), (8), and (9) of subsection (h) of such section 338, shall not apply.
Selection of acquisition date by purchasing corporation.—
The purchasing corporation may select any date for purposes of subparagraph (A)(i) if such date—
is after the later of
is on or before the date on which the election described in paragraph (2)(C) is made.”
Savings Provision
Treatment of Certain Corporation Organized on February 22, 1983
“In the case of a Rhode Island corporation which was organized on
purchased the stock of another corporation,
filed an election under section 338(g) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 with respect to such purchase, and
merged into the acquired corporation,
such purchase of stock shall be considered as made by the acquiring corporation, such election shall be valid, and the acquiring corporation shall be considered a purchasing corporation for purposes of section 338 of such Code without regard to the duration of the existence of the acquiring corporation.”
Special Rules for Deemed Purchases under Prior Law
Exception for Stock Purchases in Contemplation of Target Corporation as Member of Affiliated Group
“If—
any portion of a qualified stock purchase is pursuant to a binding contract entered into on or after
the purchasing corporation establishes by clear and convincing evidence that such contract was negotiated on the contemplation that, with respect to the deemed sale under section 338 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954], the target corporation would be treated as a member of the affiliated group which includes the selling corporation,
then the amendment made by clause (i) [amending subsec. (h)] shall not apply to such qualified stock purchase.”