Prizes and awards
General rule
Exception for certain prizes and awards transferred to charities
Gross income does not include amounts received as prizes and awards made primarily in recognition of religious, charitable, scientific, educational, artistic, literary, or civic achievement, but only if—
the recipient was selected without any action on his part to enter the contest or proceeding;
the recipient is not required to render substantial future services as a condition to receiving the prize or award; and
the prize or award is transferred by the payor to a governmental unit or organization described in paragraph (1) or (2) of section 170(c) pursuant to a designation made by the recipient.
Exception for certain employee achievement awards
In general
Excess deduction award
If the cost to the employer of the employee achievement award received by the taxpayer exceeds the amount allowable as a deduction to the employer, then gross income includes the greater of—
an amount equal to the portion of the cost to the employer of the award that is not allowable as a deduction to the employer (but not in excess of the value of the award), or
the amount by which the value of the award exceeds the amount allowable as a deduction to the employer.
The remaining portion of the value of such award shall not be included in the gross income of the recipient.
Treatment of tax-exempt employers
Cross reference
Exception for Olympic and Paralympic medals and prizes
In general
Limitation based on adjusted gross income
In general
Coordination with other limitations
Source
(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 24; Pub. L. 99–514, title I, §§ 122(a)(1), 123(b)(1),Notes
Editorial Notes
Amendments
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Change of Name
Effective Date of 2021 Amendment
Effective Date of 2020 Amendment
Effective Date of 2017 Amendment
In general.—
Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section [amending this section and sections 86, 135, 137, 170, 172, 219, 221, 222, 246, 469, 613, and 613A of this title and repealing section 199 of this title] shall apply to taxable years beginning after
Transition rule for qualified payments of patrons of cooperatives.—
In general.—
The amendments made by this section shall not apply to a qualified payment received by a taxpayer from a specified agricultural or horticultural cooperative in a taxable year of the taxpayer beginning after
Coordination with section 199a.—
No deduction shall be allowed under section 199A of such Code for any qualified payment to which subparagraph (A) applies.”