Limitation on net operating loss carryforwards and certain built-in losses following ownership change
General rule
Section 382 limitation
For purposes of this section—
In general
Except as otherwise provided in this section, the section 382 limitation for any post-change year is an amount equal to—
the value of the old loss corporation, multiplied by
the long-term tax-exempt rate.
Carryforward of unused limitation
Special rule for post-change year which includes change date
In the case of any post-change year which includes the change date—
Limitation does not apply to taxable income before change
Limitation for period after change
For purposes of applying the limitation of subsection (a) to the remainder of the taxable income for such year, the section 382 limitation shall be an amount which bears the same ratio to such limitation (determined without regard to this paragraph) as—
the number of days in such year after the change date, bears to
the total number of days in such year.
Carryforwards disallowed if continuity of business requirements not met
In general
Exception for certain gains
The section 382 limitation for any post-change year shall not be less than the sum of—
any increase in such limitation under—
subsection (h)(1)(A) for recognized built-in gains for such year, and
subsection (h)(1)(C) for gain recognized by reason of an election under section 338, plus
any increase in such limitation under subsection (b)(2) for amounts described in subparagraph (A) which are carried forward to such year.
Pre-change loss and post-change year
For purposes of this section—
Pre-change loss
The term “pre-change loss” means—
any net operating loss carryforward of the old loss corporation to the taxable year ending with the ownership change or in which the change date occurs, and
the net operating loss of the old loss corporation for the taxable year in which the ownership change occurs to the extent such loss is allocable to the period in such year on or before the change date.
Except as provided in subsection (h)(5) and in regulations, the net operating loss shall, for purposes of subparagraph (B), be allocated ratably to each day in the year.
Post-change year
Value of old loss corporation
For purposes of this section—
In general
Special rule in the case of redemption or other corporate contraction
Treatment of foreign corporations
Long-term tax-exempt rate
For purposes of this section—
In general
Adjusted Federal long-term rate
For purposes of paragraph (1), the term “adjusted Federal long-term rate” means the Federal long-term rate determined under section 1274(d), except that—
paragraphs (2) and (3) thereof shall not apply, and
such rate shall be properly adjusted for differences between rates on long-term taxable and tax-exempt obligations.
Ownership change
For purposes of this section—
In general
There is an ownership change if, immediately after any owner shift involving a 5-percent shareholder or any equity structure shift—
the percentage of the stock of the loss corporation owned by 1 or more 5-percent shareholders has increased by more than 50 percentage points, over
the lowest percentage of stock of the loss corporation (or any predecessor corporation) owned by such shareholders at any time during the testing period.
Owner shift involving 5-percent shareholder
There is an owner shift involving a 5-percent shareholder if—
there is any change in the respective ownership of stock of a corporation, and
such change affects the percentage of stock of such corporation owned by any person who is a 5-percent shareholder before or after such change.
Equity structure shift defined
In general
The term “equity structure shift” means any reorganization (within the meaning of section 368). Such term shall not include—
any reorganization described in subparagraph (D) or (G) of section 368(a)(1) unless the requirements of section 354(b)(1) are met, and
any reorganization described in subparagraph (F) of section 368(a)(1).
Taxable reorganization-type transactions, etc.
Special rules for application of subsection
Treatment of less than 5-percent shareholders
Coordination with equity structure shifts
For purposes of determining whether an equity structure shift (or subsequent transaction) is an ownership change—
Less than 5-percent shareholders
Acquisitions of stock
Coordination with other owner shifts
Treatment of worthless stock
If any stock held by a 50-percent shareholder is treated by such shareholder as becoming worthless during any taxable year of such shareholder and such stock is held by such shareholder as of the close of such taxable year, for purposes of determining whether an ownership change occurs after the close of such taxable year, such shareholder—
shall be treated as having acquired such stock on the 1st day of his 1st succeeding taxable year, and
shall not be treated as having owned such stock during any prior period.
For purposes of the preceding sentence, the term “50-percent shareholder” means any person owning 50 percent or more of the stock of the corporation at any time during the 3-year period ending on the last day of the taxable year with respect to which the stock was so treated.
Special rules for built-in gains and losses and section 338 gains
For purposes of this section—
In general
Net unrealized built-in gain
In general
Limitation
The increase under clause (i) for any recognition period taxable year shall not exceed—
the net unrealized built-in gain, reduced by
recognized built-in gains for prior years ending in the recognition period.
Net unrealized built-in loss
In general
Limitation
Clause (i) shall apply to recognized built-in losses for any recognition period taxable year only to the extent such losses do not exceed—
the net unrealized built-in loss, reduced by
recognized built-in losses for prior taxable years ending in the recognition period.
Special rules for certain section 338 gains
If an election under section 338 is made in connection with an ownership change and the net unrealized built-in gain is zero by reason of paragraph (3)(B), then, with respect to such change, the section 382 limitation for the post-change year in which gain is recognized by reason of such election shall be increased by the lesser of—
the recognized built-in gains by reason of such election, or
the net unrealized built-in gain (determined without regard to paragraph (3)(B)).
Recognized built-in gain and loss
Recognized built-in gain
The term “recognized built-in gain” means any gain recognized during the recognition period on the disposition of any asset to the extent the new loss corporation establishes that—
such asset was held by the old loss corporation immediately before the change date, and
such gain does not exceed the excess of—
the fair market value of such asset on the change date, over
the adjusted basis of such asset on such date.
Recognized built-in loss
The term “recognized built-in loss” means any loss recognized during the recognition period on the disposition of any asset except to the extent the new loss corporation establishes that—
such asset was not held by the old loss corporation immediately before the change date, or
such loss exceeds the excess of—
the adjusted basis of such asset on the change date, over
the fair market value of such asset on such date.
Such term includes any amount allowable as depreciation, amortization, or depletion for any period within the recognition period except to the extent the new loss corporation establishes that the amount so allowable is not attributable to the excess described in clause (ii).
Net unrealized built-in gain and loss defined
Net unrealized built-in gain and loss
In general
The terms “net unrealized built-in gain” and “net unrealized built-in loss” mean, with respect to any old loss corporation, the amount by which—
the fair market value of the assets of such corporation immediately before an ownership change is more or less, respectively, than
the aggregate adjusted basis of such assets at such time.
Special rule for redemptions or other corporate contractions
Threshold requirement
In general
If the amount of the net unrealized built-in gain or net unrealized built-in loss (determined without regard to this subparagraph) of any old loss corporation is not greater than the lesser of—
15 percent of the amount determined for purposes of subparagraph (A)(i)(I), or
$10,000,000,
the net unrealized built-in gain or net unrealized built-in loss shall be zero.
Cash and cash items not taken into account
In computing any net unrealized built-in gain or net unrealized built-in loss under clause (i), except as provided in regulations, there shall not be taken into account—
any cash or cash item, or
any marketable security which has a value which does not substantially differ from adjusted basis.
Disallowed loss allowed as a carryforward
If a deduction for any portion of a recognized built-in loss is disallowed for any post-change year, such portion—
shall be carried forward to subsequent taxable years under rules similar to the rules for the carrying forward of net operating losses (or to the extent the amount so disallowed is attributable to capital losses, under rules similar to the rules for the carrying forward of net capital losses), but
shall be subject to limitation under this section in the same manner as a pre-change loss.
Special rules for post-change year which includes change date
For purposes of subsection (b)(3)—
in applying subparagraph (A) thereof, taxable income shall be computed without regard to recognized built-in gains to the extent such gains increased the section 382 limitation for the year (or recognized built-in losses to the extent such losses are treated as pre-change losses), and gain described in paragraph (1)(C), for the year, and
in applying subparagraph (B) thereof, the section 382 limitation shall be computed without regard to recognized built-in gains, and gain described in paragraph (1)(C), for the year.
Treatment of certain built-in items
Income items
Deduction items
Adjustments
Recognition period, etc.
Recognition period
Recognition period taxable year
Determination of fair market value in certain cases
Tax-free exchanges or transfers
Testing period
For purposes of this section—
3-year period
Shorter period where there has been recent ownership change
Shorter period where all losses arise after 3-year period begins
Change date
For purposes of this section, the change date is—
in the case where the last component of an ownership change is an owner shift involving a 5-percent shareholder, the date on which such shift occurs, and
in the case where the last component of an ownership change is an equity structure shift, the date of the reorganization.
Definitions and special rules
For purposes of this section—
Loss corporation
Old loss corporation
The term “old loss corporation” means any corporation—
with respect to which there is an ownership change, and
which (before the ownership change) was a loss corporation.
New loss corporation
Taxable income
Value
Rules relating to stock
Preferred stock
Treatment of certain rights, etc.
The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary—
to treat warrants, options, contracts to acquire stock, convertible debt interests, and other similar interests as stock, and
to treat stock as not stock.
Determinations on basis of value
5-percent shareholder
Certain additional operating rules
For purposes of this section—
Certain capital contributions not taken into account
In general
Certain contributions treated as part of plan
Ordering rules for application of section
Coordination with section 172(b) carryover rules
In the case of any pre-change loss for any taxable year (hereinafter in this subparagraph referred to as the “loss year”) subject to limitation under this section, for purposes of determining under the 2nd sentence of section 172(b)(2) the amount of such loss which may be carried to any taxable year, taxable income for any taxable year shall be treated as not greater than—
the section 382 limitation for such taxable year, reduced by
the unused pre-change losses for taxable years preceding the loss year.
Similar rules shall apply in the case of any credit or loss subject to limitation under section 383.
Ordering rule for losses carried from same taxable year
In any case in which—
a pre-change loss of a loss corporation for any taxable year is subject to a section 382 limitation, and
a net operating loss of such corporation from such taxable year is not subject to such limitation,
taxable income shall be treated as having been offset first by the loss subject to such limitation.
Operating rules relating to ownership of stock
Constructive ownership
Section 318 (relating to constructive ownership of stock) shall apply in determining ownership of stock, except that—
paragraphs (1) and (5)(B) of section 318(a) shall not apply and an individual and all members of his family described in paragraph (1) of section 318(a) shall be treated as 1 individual for purposes of applying this section,
paragraph (2) of section 318(a) shall be applied—
without regard to the 50-percent limitation contained in subparagraph (C) thereof, and
except as provided in regulations, by treating stock attributed thereunder as no longer being held by the entity from which attributed,
paragraph (3) of section 318(a) shall be applied only to the extent provided in regulations,
except to the extent provided in regulations, an option to acquire stock shall be treated as exercised if such exercise results in an ownership change, and
in attributing stock from an entity under paragraph (2) of section 318(a), there shall not be taken into account—
in the case of attribution from a corporation, stock which is not treated as stock for purposes of this section, or
in the case of attribution from another entity, an interest in such entity similar to stock described in subclause (I).
A rule similar to the rule of clause (iv) shall apply in the case of any contingent purchase, warrant, convertible debt, put, stock subject to a risk of forfeiture, contract to acquire stock, or similar interests.
Stock acquired by reason of death, gift, divorce, separation, etc.
If—
the basis of any stock in the hands of any person is determined—
under section 1014 (relating to property acquired from a decedent),
section 1015 (relating to property acquired by a gift or transfer in trust), or
section 1041(b)(2) (relating to transfers of property between spouses or incident to divorce),
stock is received by any person in satisfaction of a right to receive a pecuniary bequest, or
stock is acquired by a person pursuant to any divorce or separation instrument (within the meaning of section 71(b)(2)),
such person shall be treated as owning such stock during the period such stock was owned by the person from whom it was acquired.
Certain changes in percentage ownership which are attributable to fluctuations in value not taken into account
Reduction in value where substantial nonbusiness assets
In general
If, immediately after an ownership change, the new loss corporation has substantial nonbusiness assets, the value of the old loss corporation shall be reduced by the excess (if any) of—
the fair market value of the nonbusiness assets of the old loss corporation, over
the nonbusiness asset share of indebtedness for which such corporation is liable.
Corporation having substantial nonbusiness assets
For purposes of subparagraph (A)—
In general
Exception for certain investment entities
Nonbusiness assets
Nonbusiness asset share
For purposes of this paragraph, the nonbusiness asset share of the indebtedness of the corporation is an amount which bears the same ratio to such indebtedness as—
the fair market value of the nonbusiness assets of the corporation, bears to
the fair market value of all assets of such corporation.
Treatment of subsidiaries
Title 11 or similar case
In general
Subsection (a) shall not apply to any ownership change if—
the old loss corporation is (immediately before such ownership change) under the jurisdiction of the court in a title 11 or similar case, and
the shareholders and creditors of the old loss corporation (determined immediately before such ownership change) own (after such ownership change and as a result of being shareholders or creditors immediately before such change) stock of the new loss corporation (or stock of a controlling corporation if also in bankruptcy) which meets the requirements of section 1504(a)(2) (determined by substituting “50 percent” for “80 percent” each place it appears).
Reduction for interest payments to creditors becoming shareholders
In any case to which subparagraph (A) applies, the pre-change losses and excess credits (within the meaning of section 383(a)(2)) which may be carried to a post-change year shall be computed as if no deduction was allowable under this chapter for the interest paid or accrued by the old loss corporation on indebtedness which was converted into stock pursuant to title 11 or similar case during—
any taxable year ending during the 3-year period preceding the taxable year in which the ownership change occurs, and
the period of the taxable year in which the ownership change occurs on or before the change date.
Coordination with section 108
Section 382 limitation zero if another change within 2 years
Only certain stock taken into account
For purposes of subparagraph (A)(ii), stock transferred to a creditor shall be taken into account only to the extent such stock is transferred in satisfaction of indebtedness and only if such indebtedness—
was held by the creditor at least 18 months before the date of the filing of the title 11 or similar case, or
arose in the ordinary course of the trade or business of the old loss corporation and is held by the person who at all times held the beneficial interest in such indebtedness.
Title 11 or similar case
Election not to have paragraph apply
Special rule for insolvency transactions
Coordination with alternative minimum tax
Predecessor and successor entities
Regulations
The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of this section and section 383, including (but not limited to) regulations—
providing for the application of this section and section 383 where an ownership change with respect to the old loss corporation is followed by an ownership change with respect to the new loss corporation, and
providing for the application of this section and section 383 in the case of a short taxable year,
providing for such adjustments to the application of this section and section 383 as is necessary to prevent the avoidance of the purposes of this section and section 383, including the avoidance of such purposes through the use of related persons, pass-thru entities, or other intermediaries,
providing for the application of subsection (g)(4) where there is only 1 corporation involved, and
providing, in the case of any group of corporations described in section 1563(a) (determined by substituting “50 percent” for “80 percent” each place it appears and determined without regard to paragraph (4) thereof), appropriate adjustments to value, built-in gain or loss, and other items so that items are not omitted or taken into account more than once.
Special rule for certain ownership changes
In general
The limitation contained in subsection (a) shall not apply in the case of an ownership change which is pursuant to a restructuring plan of a taxpayer which—
is required under a loan agreement or a commitment for a line of credit entered into with the Department of the Treasury under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, and
is intended to result in a rationalization of the costs, capitalization, and capacity with respect to the manufacturing workforce of, and suppliers to, the taxpayer and its subsidiaries.
Subsequent acquisitions
Limitation based on control in corporation
In general
Treatment of related persons
In general
Related persons
For purposes of clause (i), a person shall be treated as related to another person if—
such person bears a relationship to such other person described in section 267(b) or 707(b), or
such persons are members of a group of persons acting in concert.
Source
(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 129; Pub. L. 88–554, § 4(b)(3),Notes
References in Text
Amendments
Effective Date of 2014 Amendment
Effective Date of 2009 Amendment
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
In General.—
The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to acquisition after
Exception.—
The amendment made by subsection (a) shall not apply to acquisitions after
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Subsection (a).—
The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply in the case of stock treated as becoming worthless in taxable years beginning after
Subsection (b).—
The amendment made by subsection (b) [amending this section] shall apply in the case of ownership changes (as defined in section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended by subsection (a)) after
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment; Savings Provisions
Amendments made by subsections (a), (b), and (c).—
In general.—
Changes after 1986.—
The amendments made by subsections (a), (b), and (c) [amending this section and sections 318 and 383 of this title] shall apply to any ownership change after
Plans of reorganization adopted before 1987.—
For purposes of clause (i), any equity structure shift pursuant to a plan of reorganization adopted before
Termination of old section 382.—
Except in a case described in any of the following paragraphs—
section 382(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (as in effect before the amendment made by subsection (a) and the amendments made by section 806 of the Tax Reform Act of 1976 [section 806 of Pub. L. 94–455]) shall not apply to any increase in percentage points occurring after
section 382(b) of such Code (as so in effect) shall not apply to any reorganization occurring pursuant to a plan of reorganization adopted after
In no event shall sections 382(a) and (b) of such Code (as so in effect) apply to any ownership change described in subparagraph (A).
Coordination with section 382(i).—
For purposes of section 382(i) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as added by this section), any equity structure shift pursuant to a plan of reorganization adopted before
For amendments to tax reform act of 1976.—
In general.—
The repeals made by subsection (e)(1) [repealing amendments by Pub. L. 94–455, § 806(e), (f), amending this section and sections 108, 368, and 383 of this title] and the amendment made by subsection (e)(2) [repealing section 806(g)(2), (3) of Pub. L. 94–455, formerly set out as an Effective Date of 1976 Amendment note below] shall take effect on
Election to have amendments apply.—
If a taxpayer described in clause (ii) elects to have the provisions of this subparagraph apply, the amendments made by subsections (e) and (f) of section 806 of the Tax Reform Act of 1976 [amending this section and sections 108, 368, and 383 of this title] shall apply to the reorganization described in clause (ii).
A taxpayer is described in this clause if the taxpayer filed a title 11 or similar case on
Application of old rules to certain debt.—
In the case of debt of a corporation incorporated in Colorado on
the amendments made by subsections (a), (b), and (c) shall not apply to any debt restructuring of such debt which was approved by the debtor’s Board of Directors and the lenders in 1986, and
the amendments made by subsections (e) and (f) of section 806 of the Tax Reform Act of 1976 shall not apply to such debt restructuring, except that the amendment treated as part of such subsections under section 59(b) of the Tax Reform Act of 1984 (relating to qualified workouts) shall apply to such debt restructuring.
Special rule for oil and gas well drilling business.—
In the case of a Texas corporation incorporated on
Testing period.—
For purposes of determining whether there is an ownership change, the testing period shall not begin before the later of—
in the case of an ownership change which occurs after
Special transition rules.—
The amendments made by subsections (a), (b), and (c) shall not apply to any—
stock-for-debt exchanges and stock sales made pursuant to a plan of reorganization with respect to a petition for reorganization filed by a corporation under chapter 11 of title 11, United States Code, on
ownership change of a Delaware corporation incorporated in August 1983, which may result from the exercise of put or call option under an agreement entered into on
Any regulations prescribed under section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as added by subsection (a)) which have the effect of treating a group of shareholders as a separate 5-percent shareholder by reason of a public offering shall not apply to any public offering before
Bankruptcy proceedings.—
Unless the taxpayer elects not to have the provisions of this paragraph apply, in the case of a reorganization described in subparagraph (G) of section 368(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or an exchange of debt for stock in a title 11 or similar case, as defined in section 368(a)(3) of such Code, the amendments made by subsections (a), (b), and (c) shall not apply to any ownership change resulting from such a reorganization or proceeding if a petition in such case was filed with the court before
Certain plans.—
The amendments made by subsections (a), (b), and (c) shall not apply to any ownership change with respect to—
the acquisition of a corporation the stock of which is acquired pursuant to a plan of divestiture which identified such corporation and its assets, and was agreed to by the board of directors of such corporation’s parent corporation on
a merger which occurs pursuant to a merger agreement (entered into before
a reorganization involving a party to a reorganization of a group of corporations engaged in enhanced oil recovery operations in California, merged in furtherance of a plan of reorganization adopted by a board of directors vote on
the conversion of a mutual savings and loan association holding a Federal charter dated
Ownership change of regulated air carrier.—
The amendments made by subsections (a), (b), and (c) shall not apply to an ownership change of a regulated air carrier if—
on
the acquisition (by or for such parent corporation) or retirement of the remaining common stock of such carrier is completed before the later of
but only if the ownership change occurs on or before the later of
The amendments made by subsections (a), (b), and (c) shall not apply to any ownership change resulting from the conversion of a Minnesota mutual savings bank holding a Federal charter dated
Definitions.—
Except as otherwise provided, terms used in this subsection shall have the same meaning as when used in section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as amended by this section).”
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Effective Date of 1980 Amendment
Effective Date of 1976 Amendment
Effective Date of 1964 Amendment
Delay in Effective Date of 1976 Amendment
Clarification of Regulations Related to Limitations on Certain Built-In Losses Following an Ownership Change
Findings.—
Congress finds as follows:
The delegation of authority to the Secretary of the Treasury under section 382(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 does not authorize the Secretary to provide exemptions or special rules that are restricted to particular industries or classes of taxpayers.
Internal Revenue Service Notice 2008–83 is inconsistent with the congressional intent in enacting such section 382(m).
The legal authority to prescribe Internal Revenue Service Notice 2008–83 is doubtful.
However, as taxpayers should generally be able to rely on guidance issued by the Secretary of the Treasury legislation is necessary to clarify the force and effect of Internal Revenue Service Notice 2008–83 and restore the proper application under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 of the limitation on built-in losses following an ownership change of a bank.
Determination of Force and Effect of Internal Revenue Service Notice 2008–83 Exempting Banks From Limitation on Certain Built–in Losses Following Ownership Change.—
In general.—
Internal Revenue Service Notice 2008–83—
shall be deemed to have the force and effect of law with respect to any ownership change (as defined in section 382(g) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) occurring on or before
shall have no force or effect with respect to any ownership change after such date.
Binding contracts.—
Notwithstanding paragraph (1), Internal Revenue Service Notice 2008–83 shall have the force and effect of law with respect to any ownership change (as so defined) which occurs after
is pursuant to a written binding contract entered into on or before such date, or
is pursuant to a written agreement entered into on or before such date and such agreement was described on or before such date in a public announcement or in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission required by reason of such ownership change.”