Installment method
General rule
Installment sale defined
For purposes of this section—
In general
Exceptions
The term “installment sale” does not include—
Dealer dispositions
Inventories of personal property
Installment method defined
Election out
In general
Time and manner for making election
Election revocable only with consent
Second dispositions by related persons
In general
If—
any person disposes of property to a related person (hereinafter in this subsection referred to as the “first disposition”), and
before the person making the first disposition receives all payments with respect to such disposition, the related person disposes of the property (hereinafter in this subsection referred to as the “second disposition”),
then, for purposes of this section, the amount realized with respect to such second disposition shall be treated as received at the time of the second disposition by the person making the first disposition.
2-Year cutoff for property other than marketable securities
In general
Substantial diminishing of risk of ownership
The running of the 2-year period set forth in subparagraph (A) shall be suspended with respect to any property for any period during which the related person’s risk of loss with respect to the property is substantially diminished by—
the holding of a put with respect to such property (or similar property),
the holding by another person of a right to acquire the property, or
a short sale or any other transaction.
Limitation on amount treated as received
The amount treated for any taxable year as received by the person making the first disposition by reason of paragraph (1) shall not exceed the excess of—
the lesser of—
the total amount realized with respect to any second disposition of the property occurring before the close of the taxable year, or
the total contract price for the first disposition, over
the sum of—
the aggregate amount of payments received with respect to the first disposition before the close of such year, plus
the aggregate amount treated as received with respect to the first disposition for prior taxable years by reason of this subsection.
Fair market value where disposition is not sale or exchange
Later payments treated as receipt of tax paid amounts
Exception for certain dispositions
For purposes of this subsection—
Reacquisitions of stock by issuing corporation not treated as first dispositions
Involuntary conversions not treated as second dispositions
Dispositions after death
Any transfer after the earlier of—
the death of the person making the first disposition, or
the death of the person acquiring the property in the first disposition,
and any transfer thereafter shall not be treated as a second disposition.
Exception where tax avoidance not a principal purpose
Extension of statute of limitations
Definitions and special rules
For purposes of this section—
Related person
Except for purposes of subsections (g) and (h), the term “related person” means—
a person whose stock would be attributed under section 318(a) (other than paragraph (4) thereof) to the person first disposing of the property, or
a person who bears a relationship described in section 267(b) to the person first disposing of the property.
Marketable securities
Payment
Purchaser evidences of indebtedness payable on demand or readily tradable
Receipt of a bond or other evidence of indebtedness which—
is payable on demand, or
is readily tradable,
shall be treated as receipt of payment.
Readily tradable defined
For purposes of paragraph (4), the term “readily tradable” means a bond or other evidence of indebtedness which is issued—
with interest coupons attached or in registered form (other than one in registered form which the taxpayer establishes will not be readily tradable in an established securities market), or
in any other form designed to render such bond or other evidence of indebtedness readily tradable in an established securities market.
Like-kind exchanges
In the case of any exchange described in section 1031(b)—
the total contract price shall be reduced to take into account the amount of any property permitted to be received in such exchange without recognition of gain,
the gross profit from such exchange shall be reduced to take into account any amount not recognized by reason of section 1031(b), and
the term “payment”, when used in any provision of this section other than subsection (b)(1), shall not include any property permitted to be received in such exchange without recognition of gain.
Similar rules shall apply in the case of an exchange which is described in section 356(a) and is not treated as a dividend.
Depreciable property
Payments to be received defined
The term “payments to be received” includes—
the aggregate amount of all payments which are not contingent as to amount, and
the fair market value of any payments which are contingent as to amount.
Sale of depreciable property to controlled entity
In general
In the case of an installment sale of depreciable property between related persons—
subsection (a) shall not apply,
for purposes of this title—
except as provided in clause (ii), all payments to be received shall be treated as received in the year of the disposition, and
in the case of any payments which are contingent as to the amount but with respect to which the fair market value may not be reasonably ascertained, the basis shall be recovered ratably, and
the purchaser may not increase the basis of any property acquired in such sale by any amount before the time such amount is includible in the gross income of the seller.
Exception where tax avoidance not a principal purpose
Related persons
Use of installment method by shareholders in certain liquidations
Receipt of obligations not treated as receipt of payment
In general
Obligations attributable to sale of inventory must result from bulk sale
Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to an installment obligation acquired in respect of a sale or exchange of—
stock in trade of the corporation,
other property of a kind which would properly be included in the inventory of the corporation if on hand at the close of the taxable year, and
property held by the corporation primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of its trade or business,
unless such sale or exchange is to 1 person in 1 transaction and involves substantially all of such property attributable to a trade or business of the corporation.
Special rule where obligor and shareholder are related persons
If the obligor of any installment obligation and the shareholder are married to each other or are related persons (within the meaning of section 1239(b)), to the extent such installment obligation is attributable to the disposition by the corporation of depreciable property—
subparagraph (A) shall not apply to such obligation, and
for purposes of this title, all payments to be received by the shareholder shall be deemed received in the year the shareholder receives the obligation.
Coordination with subsection (e)(1)(A)
Sales by liquidating subsidiaries
Distributions received in more than 1 taxable year of shareholder
If—
paragraph (1) applies with respect to any installment obligation received by a shareholder from a corporation, and
by reason of the liquidation such shareholder receives property in more than 1 taxable year,
then, on completion of the liquidation, basis previously allocated to property so received shall be reallocated for all such taxable years so that the shareholder’s basis in the stock of the corporation is properly allocated among all property received by such shareholder in such liquidation.
Recognition of recapture income in year of disposition
In general
In the case of any installment sale of property to which subsection (a) applies—
notwithstanding subsection (a), any recapture income shall be recognized in the year of the disposition, and
any gain in excess of the recapture income shall be taken into account under the installment method.
Recapture income
Regulations
In general
Selling price not readily ascertainable
Current inclusion in case of revolving credit plans, etc.
In the case of—
any disposition of personal property under a revolving credit plan, or
any installment obligation arising out of a sale of—
stock or securities which are traded on an established securities market, or
to the extent provided in regulations, property (other than stock or securities) of a kind regularly traded on an established market,
subsection (a) shall not apply, and, for purposes of this title, all payments to be received shall be treated as received in the year of disposition. The Secretary may provide for the application of this subsection in whole or in part for transactions in which the rules of this subsection otherwise would be avoided through the use of related parties, pass-thru entities, or intermediaries.
Dealer dispositions
For purposes of subsection (b)(2)(A)—
In general
The term “dealer disposition” means any of the following dispositions:
Personal property
Real property
Exceptions
The term “dealer disposition” does not include—
Farm property
Timeshares and residential lots
In general
Dispositions to which subparagraph applies
A disposition is described in this clause if it is a disposition in the ordinary course of the taxpayer’s trade or business to an individual of—
a timeshare right to use or a timeshare ownership interest in residential real property for not more than 6 weeks per year, or a right to use specified campgrounds for recreational purposes, or
any residential lot, but only if the taxpayer (or any related person) is not to make any improvements with respect to such lot.
For purposes of subclause (I), a timeshare right to use (or timeshare ownership interest in) property held by the spouse, children, grandchildren, or parents of an individual shall be treated as held by such individual.
Carrying charges or interest
Payment of interest on timeshares and residential lots
In general
Computation of interest
In general
The amount of interest referred to in subparagraph (A) for any taxable year shall be determined—
on the amount of the tax for such taxable year which is attributable to the payments received during such taxable year on installment obligations to which this subsection applies,
for the period beginning on the date of sale, and ending on the date such payment is received, and
by using the applicable Federal rate under section 1274 (without regard to subsection (d)(2) thereof) in effect at the time of the sale compounded semiannually.
Interest not taken into account
Taxable year of sale
Treatment as interest
Source
(Added Pub. L. 96–471, § 2(a),Notes
Prior Provisions
Amendments
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
Effective Date and Construction of 2000 Amendment
In General.—
Subsection (a) of section 536 of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 (relating to modification of installment method and repeal of installment method for accrual method taxpayers) [Pub. L. 106–170, amending this section] is repealed effective with respect to sales and other dispositions occurring on or after the date of the enactment of such Act [
Applicability.—
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall be applied and administered as if that subsection (and the amendments made by that subsection) had not been enacted.”
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
In general.—
Except as provided in this subsection, the amendments made by this section [amending this section and sections 56, 381, 453A, and 691 of this title and repealing section 453C of this title] shall apply to dispositions in taxable years beginning after
Special rules for dealers.—
In general.—
In the case of dealer dispositions (within the meaning of section 453(l)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as added by this section), the amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) [amending this section and repealing section 453C of this title] shall apply to installment obligations arising from dispositions after
Special rules for obligations arising from dealer dispositions after february 28, 1986, and before january 1, 1988.—
In general.—
In the case of an applicable installment obligation arising from a disposition described in subclause (I) or (II) of section 453C(e)(1)(A)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as in effect before the amendments made by this section) before
Change in method of accounting.—
In the case of any taxpayer who is required by clause (i) to change its method of accounting for any taxable year with respect to obligations described in clause (i)—
such change shall be treated as initiated by the taxpayer,
such change shall be treated as made with the consent of the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate, and
the net amount of adjustments required by section 481 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall be taken into account over a period not longer than 4 taxable years.
Certain rules made applicable.—
For purposes of this paragraph, rules similar to the rules of paragraphs (4) and (5) of section 812(c) of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 [Pub. L. 99–514, set out as an Effective Date of 1986 Amendment note below] (as added by the Technical and Miscellaneous Revenue Act of 1988 [Pub. L. 100–647]) shall apply.
Special rule for nondealers.—
Election.—
A taxpayer may elect, at such time and in such manner as the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate may prescribe, to have the amendments made by subsections (a) and (c) [amending sections 381, 453A, and 691 of this title and repealing section 453C of this title] apply to taxable years ending after
Pledging rules.—
Except as provided in subparagraph (A)—
In general.—
Section 453A(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall apply to any installment obligation which is pledged to secure any secured indebtedness (within the meaning of section 453A(d)(4) of such Code) after
Coordination with section 453c.—
For purposes of section 453C of such Code (as in effect before its repeal), the face amount of any obligation to which section 453A(d) of such Code applies shall be reduced by the amount treated as payments on such obligation under section 453A(d) of such Code and the amount of any indebtedness secured by it shall not be taken into account.
Certain dispositions deemed made on 1st day of taxable year.—
If the taxpayer makes an election under subparagraph (A), in the case of the taxpayer’s 1st taxable year ending after
dispositions after
subsections (b)(2)(B) and (c)(4) of section 453A of such Code shall be applied separately with respect to such dispositions by substituting for ‘$5,000,000’ the amount which bears the same ratio to $5,000,000 as the number of days after
Minimum tax.—
The amendment made by subsection (d) [amending section 56 of this title] shall apply to dispositions in taxable years beginning after
Coordination with tax reform act of 1986.—
The amendments made by this section shall not apply to any installment obligation or to any taxpayer during any period to the extent the amendments made by section 811 of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 [section 811 of Pub. L. 99–514, amending former section 453C of this title and enacting provisions set out as a note under former section 453C of this title] do not apply to such obligation or during such period.”
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
In general.—
Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), the amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to taxable years beginning after
Sales of stock, etc.—
Section 453(k)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as added by subsection (a), shall apply to sales after
Change in method of accounting.—
In the case of any taxpayer who made sales under a revolving credit plan and was on the installment method under section 453 or 453A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 for such taxpayer’s last taxable year beginning before
such change shall be treated as initiated by the taxpayer,
such change shall be treated as having been made with the consent of the Secretary,
the period for taking into account adjustments under section 481 of such Code by reason of such change shall be equal to 4 years, and
except as provided in paragraph (4), the amount taken into account in each of such 4 years shall be the applicable percentage (determined in accordance with the following table) of the net adjustment:
“In the case of the: | The applicable percentage is: |
|---|---|
1st taxable year | 15 |
2nd taxable year | 25 |
3rd taxable year | 30 |
4th taxable year | 30. |
If the taxpayer’s last taxable year beginning before
Acceleration of adjustments where contraction in amount of installment obligations.—
In general.—
If the percentage determined under subparagraph (B) for any taxable year in the adjustment period exceeds the percentage which would otherwise apply under paragraph (3)(D) for such taxable year (determined after the application of this paragraph for prior taxable years in the adjustment period)—
the percentage determined under subparagraph (B) shall be substituted for the applicable percentage which would otherwise apply under paragraph (3)(D), and
any increase in the applicable percentage by reason of clause (i) shall be applied to reduce the applicable percentage determined under paragraph (3)(D) for subsequent taxable years in the adjustment period (beginning with the 1st of such subsequent taxable years).
Determination of percentage.—
For purposes of subparagraph (A), the percentage determined under this subparagraph for any taxable year in the adjustment period is the excess (if any) of—
the percentage determined by dividing the aggregate contraction in revolving installment obligations by the aggregate face amount of such obligations outstanding as of the close of the taxpayer’s last taxable year beginning before
the sum of the applicable percentages under paragraph (3)(D) (as modified by this paragraph) for prior taxable years in the adjustment period.
Aggregate contraction in revolving installment obligations.—
For purposes of subparagraph (B), the aggregate contraction in revolving installment obligations is the amount by which—
the aggregate face amount of the revolving installment obligations outstanding as of the close of the taxpayer’s last taxable year beginning before
the aggregate face amount of the revolving installment obligations outstanding as of the close of the taxable year involved.
Revolving installment obligations.—
For purposes of this paragraph, the term ‘revolving installment obligations’ means installment obligations arising under a revolving credit plan.
Treatment of certain obligations disposed of on or before october 26, 1987.—
For purposes of subparagraphs (B)(i) and (C)(i), in determining the aggregate face amount of revolving installment obligations outstanding as of the close of the taxpayer’s last taxable year beginning before
which was disposed of to an unrelated person on or before
was disposed of to an unrelated person on or after such date pursuant to a binding written contract in effect on
For purposes of the preceding sentence, the term ‘unrelated person’ means any person who is not a related person (as defined in section 453(g) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986).
Limitation on losses from sales of obligations under revolving credit plans.—
If 1 or more obligations arising under a revolving credit plan and taken into account under paragraph (3) are disposed of during the adjustment period, then, notwithstanding any other provision of law—
no losses from such dispositions shall be recognized, and
the aggregate amount of the adjustment for taxable years in the adjustment period (in reverse order of time) shall be reduced by the amount of such losses.
Adjustment period.—
For purposes of paragraphs (4) and (5), the adjustment period is the 4-year period under paragraph (3).”
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
In general.—
Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply with respect to dispositions made after
Exception.—
The amendments made by this section shall not apply with respect to any disposition conducted pursuant to a contract which was binding on
Special rule for certain dispositions before october 1, 1984.—
The amendments made by this section shall not apply to any disposition before
Effective Date of 1983 Amendment
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Effective Date; Application of Former Section 453(b) to Certain Dispositions
In general.—
Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the amendments made by sections 2 [enacting this section and sections 453A and 453B of this title and amending sections 311, 336, 337, 381, former section 453, and sections 453B, 481, 644, 691, and 1255 of this title] and 5 [amending section 1239 of this title] shall apply to dispositions made after the date of the enactment of this Act [
For section 453(e).—
Section 453(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954] (as amended by section 2) shall apply to first dispositions made after
For section 453(h).—
Paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 453(h) of such Code (as amended by section 2) shall apply in the case of distributions of installment obligations after
For section 453a.—
Section 453A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as amended by section 2) shall apply to taxable years ending after the date of enactment of this Act [
For section 453b(f).—
Section 453B(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as amended by section 2) shall apply to installment obligations becoming unenforceable after the date of the enactment of this Act [
For section 2(c).—
The amendments made by section 2(c) [amending sections 336, 337, 453B, and former section 453 of this title] shall take effect as if included in the amendments made by section 403(b) of the Crude Oil Windfall Profit Tax Act of 1980 [see section 403(b)(3) of Pub. L. 96–223, set out as an Effective Date of 1980 Amendments note under section 337 of this title].
Special rule for application of former section 453 to certain dispositions.—
In the case of any disposition made on or before the date of the enactment of this Act [
paragraph (2) of such section 453(b), and
any requirement that more than 1 payment be received.”