Insurance company taxable income
Definition of taxable income
Definitions
In the case of an insurance company subject to the tax imposed by section 831—
Gross income
The term “gross income” means the sum of—
the combined gross amount earned during the taxable year, from investment income and from underwriting income as provided in this subsection, computed on the basis of the underwriting and investment exhibit of the annual statement approved by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners,
gain during the taxable year from the sale or other disposition of property, and
all other items constituting gross income under subchapter B, except that, in the case of a mutual fire insurance company exclusively issuing perpetual policies, the amount of single deposit premiums paid to such company shall not be included in gross income,
in the case of a mutual fire or flood insurance company whose principal business is the issuance of policies—
for which the premium deposits are the same (regardless of the length of the term for which the policies are written), and
under which the unabsorbed portion of such premium deposits not required for losses, expenses, or establishment of reserves is returned or credited to the policyholder on cancellation or expiration of the policy,
an amount equal to 2 percent of the premiums earned on insurance contracts during the taxable year with respect to such policies after deduction of premium deposits returned or credited during the same taxable year, and
in the case of a company which writes mortgage guaranty insurance, the amount required by subsection (e)(5) to be subtracted from the mortgage guaranty account.
Investment income
Underwriting income
Premiums earned
The term “premiums earned on insurance contracts during the taxable year” means an amount computed as follows:
From the amount of gross premiums written on insurance contracts during the taxable year, deduct return premiums and premiums paid for reinsurance.
To the result so obtained, add 80 percent of the unearned premiums on outstanding business at the end of the preceding taxable year and deduct 80 percent of the unearned premiums on outstanding business at the end of the taxable year.
To the result so obtained, in the case of a taxable year beginning after
For purposes of this subsection, unearned premiums shall include life insurance reserves, as defined in section 816(b) but determined as provided in section 807. For purposes of this subsection, unearned premiums of mutual fire or flood insurance companies described in paragraph (1)(D) means (with respect to the policies described in paragraph (1)(D)) the amount of unabsorbed premium deposits which the company would be obligated to return to its policyholders at the close of the taxable year if all of its policies were terminated at such time; and the determination of such amount shall be based on the schedule of unabsorbed premium deposit returns for each such company then in effect. Premiums paid by the subscriber of a mutual flood insurance company described in paragraph (1)(D) or issuing exclusively perpetual policies shall be treated, for purposes of computing the taxable income of such subscriber, in the same manner as premiums paid by a policyholder to a mutual fire insurance company described in subparagraph (C) or (D) of paragraph (1).
Losses incurred
In general
The term “losses incurred” means losses incurred during the taxable year on insurance contracts computed as follows:
To losses paid during the taxable year, deduct salvage and reinsurance recovered during the taxable year.
To the result so obtained, add all unpaid losses on life insurance contracts plus all discounted unpaid losses (as defined in section 846) outstanding at the end of the taxable year and deduct all unpaid losses on life insurance contracts plus all discounted unpaid losses outstanding at the end of the preceding taxable year.
To the results so obtained, add estimated salvage and reinsurance recoverable as of the end of the preceding taxable year and deduct estimated salvage and reinsurance recoverable as of the end of the taxable year.
The amount of estimated salvage recoverable shall be determined on a discounted basis in accordance with procedures established by the Secretary.
Reduction of deduction
The amount which would (but for this subparagraph) be taken into account under subparagraph (A) shall be reduced by an amount equal to 15 percent of the sum of—
tax-exempt interest received or accrued during such taxable year,
the aggregate amount of deductions provided by sections 243, 244, and 245 for—
dividends (other than 100 percent dividends) received during the taxable year, and
100 percent dividends received during the taxable year to the extent attributable (directly or indirectly) to prorated amounts, and
the increase for the taxable year in policy cash values (within the meaning of section 805(a)(4)(F)) of life insurance policies and annuity and endowment contracts to which section 264(f) applies.
In the case of a 100 percent dividend paid by an insurance company, the portion attributable to prorated amounts shall be determined under subparagraph (E)(ii).
Exception for investments made before August 8, 1986
In general
Special rule for 100 percent dividends
For purposes of clause (i), the portion of any 100 percent dividend which is attributable to prorated amounts shall be treated as received with respect to stock acquired on the later of—
the date the payor acquired the stock or obligation to which the prorated amounts are attributable, or
the 1st day on which the payor and payee were members of the same affiliated group (as defined in section 243(b)(2)).
Definitions
For purposes of this paragraph—
Prorated amounts
100 percent dividend
In general
Certain dividends received by foreign corporations
Special rules for dividends subject to proration at subsidiary level
In general
Portion of dividend attributable to prorated amounts
For purposes of this subparagraph, in determining the portion of any dividend attributable to prorated amounts—
any dividend by the paying corporation shall be treated as paid first out of earnings and profits attributable to prorated amounts (to the extent thereof), and
by determining the portion of earnings and profits so attributable without any reduction for the tax imposed by this chapter.
Expenses incurred
Special rules for applying paragraph (4)
Reduction not to apply to life insurance reserves
Special treatment of premiums attributable to insuring certain securities
In the case of premiums attributable to insurance against default in the payment of principal or interest on securities described in section 165(g)(2)(C) with maturities of more than 5 years—
subparagraph (B) of paragraph (4) shall be applied by substituting “90 percent” for “80 percent” each place it appears, and
subparagraph (C) of paragraph (4) shall be applied by substituting “1⅔ percent” for “3⅓ percent”.
Termination as insurance company taxable under section 831(a)
Treatment of companies which become taxable under section 831(a)
Exception to phase-in for companies which were not taxable, etc., before 1987
Subparagraph (C) of paragraph (4) shall not apply to any insurance company which, for each taxable year beginning before
subject to tax under section 821(c) 1 (as so in effect), or
described in section 501(c) (as so in effect) and exempt from tax under section 501(a).
Phase-in beginning at later date for companies not 1st taxable under section 831(a) in 1987
In the case of an insurance company—
which was not subject to the tax imposed by section 831(a) for its 1st taxable year beginning after
which, for any taxable year beginning before
subparagraph (C) of paragraph (4) shall apply beginning with the 1st taxable year beginning after
Treatment of certain reciprocal insurers
In the case of a reciprocal (within the meaning of section 835(a)) which reports (as required by State law) on its annual statement reserves on unearned premiums net of premium acquisition expenses—
subparagraph (B) of paragraph (4) shall be applied by treating unearned premiums as including an amount equal to such expenses, and
appropriate adjustments shall be made under subparagraph (c) of paragraph (4) to reflect the amount by which—
such reserves at the close of the most recent taxable year beginning before
80 percent of the sum of the amount under subclause (I) plus such premium acquisition expenses,2
Special rules for applying paragraph (4) to title insurance premiums
In general
In the case of premiums attributable to title insurance—
subparagraph (B) of paragraph (4) shall be applied by substituting “the discounted unearned premiums” for “80 percent of the unearned premiums” each place it appears, and
subparagraph (C) of paragraph (4) shall not apply.
Method of discounting
For purposes of subparagraph (A), the amount of the discounted unearned premiums as of the end of any taxable year shall be the present value of such premiums (as of such time and separately with respect to premiums received in each calendar year) determined by using—
the amount of the undiscounted unearned premiums at such time,
the applicable interest rate, and
the applicable statutory premium recognition pattern.
Determination of applicable factors
In determining the amount of the discounted unearned premiums as of the end of any taxable year—
Undiscounted unearned premiums
Applicable interest rate
Applicable statutory premium recognition pattern
The term “applicable statutory premium recognition pattern” means the statutory premium recognition pattern—
which is in effect for the calendar year in which the premiums are received, and
which is based on the statutory premium recognition pattern which applies to premiums received by the taxpayer in such calendar year.
For purposes of the preceding sentence, premiums received during any calendar year shall be treated as received in the middle of such year.
Deductions allowed
In computing the taxable income of an insurance company subject to the tax imposed by section 831, there shall be allowed as deductions:
all ordinary and necessary expenses incurred, as provided in section 162 (relating to trade or business expenses);
all interest, as provided in section 163;
taxes, as provided in section 164;
losses incurred, as defined in subsection (b)(5) of this section;
capital losses to the extent provided in subchapter P (sec. 1201 and following, relating to capital gains and losses) plus losses from capital assets sold or exchanged in order to obtain funds to meet abnormal insurance losses and to provide for the payment of dividends and similar distributions to policyholders. Capital assets shall be considered as sold or exchanged in order to obtain funds to meet abnormal insurance losses and to provide for the payment of dividends and similar distributions to policyholders to the extent that the gross receipts from their sale or exchange are not greater than the excess, if any, for the taxable year of the sum of dividends and similar distributions paid to policyholders in their capacity as such, losses paid, and expenses paid over the sum of the items described in section 834(b) (other than paragraph (1)(D) thereof) and net premiums received. In the application of section 1212 for purposes of this section, the net capital loss for the taxable year shall be the amount by which losses for such year from sales or exchanges of capital assets exceeds the sum of the gains from such sales or exchanges and whichever of the following amounts is the lesser:
the taxable income (computed without regard to gains or losses from sales or exchanges of capital assets; or
losses from the sale or exchange of capital assets sold or exchanged to obtain funds to meet abnormal insurance losses and to provide for the payment of dividends and similar distributions to policyholders;
debts in the nature of agency balances and bills receivable which become worthless within the taxable year;
the amount of interest earned during the taxable year which under section 103 is excluded from gross income;
the depreciation deduction allowed by section 167 and the deduction allowed by section 611 (relating to depletion);
charitable, etc., contributions, as provided in section 170;
deductions (other than those specified in this subsection) as provided in part VI of subchapter B (sec. 161 and following, relating to itemized deductions for individuals and corporations) and in part I of subchapter D (sec. 401 and following, relating to pension, profit-sharing, stock bonus plans, etc.);
dividends and similar distributions paid or declared to policyholders in their capacity as such, except in the case of a mutual fire insurance company described in subsection (b)(1)(C). For purposes of the preceding sentence, the term “dividends and similar distributions” includes amounts returned or credited to policyholders on cancellation or expiration of policies described in subsection (b)(1)(D). For purposes of this paragraph, the term “paid or declared” shall be construed according to the method of accounting regularly employed in keeping the books of the insurance company;
the special deductions allowed by part VIII of subchapter B (sec. 241 and following, relating to dividends received); and
in the case of a company which writes mortgage guaranty insurance, the deduction allowed by subsection (e).
Double deductions
Special deduction and income account
In the case of taxable years beginning after
Additional deduction
There shall be allowed as a deduction for the taxable year, if bonds are purchased as required by paragraph (2), the sum of—
an amount representing the amount required by State law or regulation to be set aside in a reserve for mortgage guaranty insurance losses resulting from adverse economic cycles; and
an amount representing the aggregate of amounts so set aside in such reserve for the 8 preceding taxable years to the extent such amounts were not deducted under this paragraph in such preceding taxable years,
except that the deduction allowable for the taxable year under this paragraph shall not exceed the taxable income for the taxable year computed without regard to this paragraph or to any carryback of a net operating loss. For purposes of this paragraph, the amount required by State law or regulation to be so set aside in any taxable year shall not exceed 50 percent of premiums earned on insurance contracts (as defined in subsection (b)(4)) with respect to mortgage guaranty insurance for such year. For purposes of this subsection, all amounts shall be taken into account on a first-in-time basis. The computation and deduction under this section of losses incurred (including losses resulting from adverse economic cycles) shall not be affected by the provisions of this subsection. For purposes of this subsection, the terms “preceding taxable years” and “preceding taxable year” shall not include taxable years which began before
Purchase of bonds
Mortgage guaranty account
Additions to account
Subtractions from account and inclusion in gross income
After applying paragraph (4), there shall be subtracted for the taxable year from the mortgage guaranty account and included in gross income—
the amount (if any) remaining which was added to the account for the tenth preceding taxable year,
the excess (if any) of the aggregate amount in the mortgage guaranty account over the aggregate amount in the reserve referred to in paragraph (1)(A). For purposes of determining such excess, the aggregate amount in the mortgage guaranty account shall be determined after applying subparagraph (A), and the aggregate amount in the reserve referred to in paragraph (1)(A) shall be determined by disregarding any amounts remaining in such reserve added for taxable years beginning before
an amount (if any) equal to the net operating loss for the taxable year computed without regard to this subparagraph, and
any amount improperly subtracted from the account under subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) to the extent that tax and loss bonds were redeemed with respect to such amount.
If a company liquidates or otherwise terminates its mortgage guaranty insurance business and does not transfer or distribute such business in an acquisition of assets referred to in section 381(a), the entire amount remaining in such account shall be subtracted. Except in the case where a company transfers or distributes its mortgage guaranty insurance in an acquisition of assets referred to in section 381(a), if the company is not subject to the tax imposed by section 831 for any taxable year, the entire amount in the account at the close of the preceding taxable year shall be subtracted from the account in such preceding taxable year.
Lease guaranty insurance; insurance of State and local obligations
Interinsurers
In the case of a mutual insurance company which is an interinsurer or reciprocal underwriter—
there shall be allowed as a deduction the increase for the taxable year in savings credited to subscriber accounts, or
there shall be included as an item of gross income the decrease for the taxable year in savings credited to subscriber accounts.
For purposes of the preceding sentence, the term “savings credited to subscriber accounts” means such portion of the surplus as is credited to the individual accounts of subscribers before the 16th day of the 3rd month following the close of the taxable year, but only if the company would be obligated to pay such amount promptly to such subscriber if he terminated his contract at the close of the company’s taxable year. For purposes of determining his taxable income, the subscriber shall treat any such savings credited to his account as a dividend paid or declared.
Dividends within group
Source
(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 264; Mar. 13, 1956, ch. 83, § 3(b), 70 Stat. 48; Pub. L. 87–834, § 8(e)(2)–(5),Notes
References in Text
Codification
Amendments
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
In general.—
The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to taxable years beginning on or after
Amendments treated as change in method of accounting.—
In the case of any taxpayer who is required by reason of the amendments made by this section to change his method of computing reserves—
such change shall be treated as a change in a method of accounting,
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, and
the net adjustments which are required by section 481 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to be taken into account by the taxpayer shall be taken into account over a period not to exceed 4 taxable years beginning with the taxpayer’s first taxable year beginning on or after
Coordination with section 832(b)(4)(C).—
The amendments made by this section shall not affect the application of section 832(b)(4)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.”
In general.—
The amendments made by this section [amending this section and section 846 of this title] shall apply to taxable years beginning after
Amendments treated as change in method of accounting.—
In general.—
In the case of any taxpayer who is required by reason of the amendments made by this section to change his method of computing losses incurred—
such change shall be treated as a change in a method of accounting,
such change shall be treated as initiated by the taxpayer, and
such change shall be treated as having been made with the consent of the Secretary.
Adjustments.—
In applying section 481 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 with respect to the change referred to in subparagraph (A)—
only 13 percent of the net amount of adjustments (otherwise required by such section 481 to be taken into account by the taxpayer) shall be taken into account, and
the portion of such net adjustments which is required to be taken into account by the taxpayer (after the application of clause (i)) shall be taken into account over a period not to exceed 4 taxable years beginning with the taxpayer’s 1st taxable year beginning after
Treatment of companies which took into account salvage recoverable.—
In the case of any insurance company which took into account salvage recoverable in determining losses incurred for its last taxable year beginning before
Special rule for overestimates.—
If for any taxable year beginning after
the amount of the section 481 adjustment which would have been required without regard to paragraph (2) and any discounting, exceeds
the sum of the amount of salvage recovered taken into account under section 832(b)(5)(A)(i) for the taxable year and any preceding taxable year beginning after
87 percent of such excess (adjusted for discounting used in determining the amount of salvage recoverable as of the close of the last taxable year of the taxpayer beginning before
Effect on earnings and profits.—
The earnings and profits of any insurance company for its 1st taxable year beginning after
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
In general.—
The amendment made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to taxable years beginning after
Special transitional rule for title insurance companies.—
For the 1st taxable year beginning after
In general.—
The unearned premiums at the end of the preceding taxable year as defined in paragraph (4) of section 832(b) [of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986] shall be determined as if the amendments made by this section had applied to such unearned premiums in the preceding taxable year and by using the interest rate and premium recognition pattern applicable to years ending in calendar year 1987.
Fresh start.—
Except as provided in subparagraph (C), any difference between—
the amount determined to be unearned premiums for the year preceding the first taxable year of a title insurance company beginning after
such amount determined with regard to subparagraph (A),
shall not be taken into account for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
Effect on earnings and profits.—
The earnings and profits of any insurance company for its 1st taxable year beginning after
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Effective Date of 1976 Amendment
Effective Date of 1968 Amendment
Effective Date of 1966 Amendment
Effective Date of 1964 Amendment
Effective Date of 1962 Amendment
Effective Date of 1956 Amendment
Deduction From Earnings and Profits of Insurance Companies to Which Section 11305(c)(3) of Pub. L. 101–508 Applies
Acquisition Date of Certain Stocks or Obligations for Purposes of Subsection (b)(5)(C)(i)
“For purposes of section 832(b)(5)(C)(i) of the 1986 Code, any stock or obligation acquired on or after
the transferor company acquired such stock or obligation before
at all times after the date on which such stock or obligation was acquired by the transferor company and before the date of the acquisition by the acquiring company, the transferor company and the acquiring company were members of the same affiliated group filing a consolidated return.
For purposes of the preceding sentence, the date on which the stock or obligation was acquired by the transferor company shall be determined with regard to any prior application of the preceding sentence. For purposes of this paragraph, if the acquiring corporation or transferor corporation was a party to a reorganization described in section 368(a)(1)(F) of the 1986 Code, any reference to such corporation shall include a reference to any predecessor thereof involved in such reorganization.”
Study of Treatment of Property and Casualty Insurance Companies
Physicians’ and Surgeons’ Mutual Protection and Interindemnity Arrangements or Associations
Certain Physicians’ and Surgeons’ Mutual Protection and Interindemnity Arrangements or Associations.—
Treatment of arrangements or associations.—
Capital contributions.—
There shall not be included in the gross income of any eligible physicians’ and surgeons’ mutual protection and interindemnity arrangement or association any initial payment (whether made in a lump sum or a series of substantially equal payments over a period of not more than 6 years) made during any taxable year to such arrangement or association by a member joining such arrangement or association which—
does not release such member from obligations to pay current or future dues, assessments, or premiums; and
is a condition precedent to receiving benefits of membership.
Such initial payment shall be included in the gross income of such arrangement or association for such taxable year if it is reasonable to expect that such payment will be deductible pursuant to paragraph (2) by any member of such arrangement or association.
Return of contributions.—
In general.—
The repayment to any member of any amount of any payment excluded under subparagraph (A) shall not be treated as policyholder dividend, and is not deductible by the arrangement or association.
Source of returns.—
Except in the case of the termination of a member’s interest in the arrangement or association, any amount distributed to any member shall be treated as paid out of surplus in excess of amounts excluded under subparagraph (A).
Deduction for members of eligible arrangements or associations.—
Payment as trade or business expenses.—
To the extent not otherwise allowable under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, any member of any eligible arrangement or association may treat any initial payment referred to in paragraph (1) made during a taxable year to such arrangement or association as an ordinary and necessary expense incurred in connection with a trade or business for purposes of the deduction allowable under section 162, to the extent such payment does not exceed the amount which would be payable to an independent insurance company for similar annual insurance coverage (as determined by the Secretary), and further reduced by any annual dues, assessments, or premiums paid during such taxable year. Such deduction shall not be allowable as to any initial payment referred to in paragraph (1) made to an eligible arrangement or association by any person who is a member of any other eligible arrangement or association on or after the effective date of the Tax Reform Act of 1986. Any excess amount not allowed as a deduction for the taxable year in which such payment was made pursuant to the limitation contained in the 1st sentence of this subparagraph shall, subject to such limitation, be allowable as a deduction in any of the 5 succeeding taxable years, in order of time, to the extent not previously allowed as a deduction under this sentence.
Refunds of initial payments.—
Any amount attributable to any initial payment referred to in paragraph (1) to such arrangement or association described in paragraph (1) which is later refunded for any reason shall be included in the gross income of the recipient in the taxable year received, to the extent a deduction for such payment was allowed. Any amount refunded in excess of such payment shall be included in gross income except to the extent otherwise excluded from income by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
Eligible arrangements or associations.—
The terms ‘eligible physicans’ [sic] and surgeons’ mutual protection and interindemnity arrangement or association’ and ‘eligible arrangement or association’ mean and are limited to any mutual protection and interindemnity arrangement or association that provides only medical malpractice liability protection for its members or medical malpractice liability protection in conjunction with protection against other liability claims incurred in the course of, or related to, the professional practice of a physician or surgeon and which—
was operative and was providing such protection, or had received a permit for the offer and sale of memberships, under the laws of any State before
is not subject to regulation by any State insurance department,
has a right to make unlimited assessments against all members to cover current claims and losses, and
is not a member of, nor subject to protection by, any insurance guaranty plan or association of any State.
Effective Date.—
The provisions of subsection (a) shall apply to payments made to and receipts of physicians’ and surgeons’ mutual protection and interindemnity arrangements or associations, and refunds of payments by such arrangements or associations, after the date of the enactment of this Act [
Treatment as Unearned Premiums of Additions to Reserves Required by State Law or Regulations for Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Losses
In the case of taxable years beginning before 1967, a company shall treat additions to a reserve, required by State law or regulations for mortgage guaranty insurance losses resulting from adverse economic cycles, as unearned premiums for purposes of section 832(b)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954], but the amount so treated as unearned premiums in a taxable year shall not exceed 50 percent of premiums earned on insurance contracts (as defined in section 832(b)(4) of such Code), determined without regard to amounts added to the reserve, with respect to mortgage guaranty insurance for such year. The amount of unearned premiums at the close of 1966 shall be determined without regard to the preceding sentence for the purpose of applying section 832(b)(4) of such Code to 1967. Additions to such a reserve shall not be treated as unearned premiums for any taxable year beginning after 1966.
If a mortgage guaranty insurance company made additions to a reserve which were so treated as unearned premiums described in paragraph (1), such company, in taxable years beginning after 1966, shall include in gross income (in addition to the items specified in section 832(b)(1) of such Code) the sum of the following amounts until there is included in gross income an amount equal to the aggregate additions to the reserve described in paragraph (1) for taxable years beginning before 1967:
an amount (if any) equal to the excess of losses incurred (as defined in section 832(b)(5) of such Code) for the taxable year over 35 percent of premiums earned on insurance contracts during the taxable year (as defined in section 832(b)(4) of such Code), determined without regard to amounts added to the reserve referred to in paragraph (1), with respect to mortgage guaranty insurance,
the amount (if any) remaining which was added to the reserve for the tenth preceding taxable year, and
the excess (if any) of—
the aggregate of amounts so treated as unearned premiums for all taxable years beginning before 1967 less the total of the amounts included in gross income under this paragraph for prior taxable years and the amounts included in gross income under subparagraphs (A) and (B) for the taxable year, over
the aggregate of the additions made for taxable years beginning before 1967 which remain in the reserve at the close of the taxable year.
Amounts shall be taken into account on a first-in-time basis. For purposes of section 832(e) of such Code and this paragraph, if part of the reserve is reduced under State law or regulation, such reduction shall first apply to the extent of amounts added to the reserve for taxable years beginning before 1967, and only then to amounts added thereafter.
The provisions of this subsection shall apply to taxable years beginning after