Recognition of loss in case of straddles, etc.
Limitation on recognition of loss
In general
Any loss with respect to 1 or more positions shall be taken into account for any taxable year only to the extent that the amount of such loss exceeds the unrecognized gain (if any) with respect to 1 or more positions which were offsetting positions with respect to 1 or more positions from which the loss arose.
Carryover of loss
Any loss which may not be taken into account under subparagraph (A) for any taxable year shall, subject to the limitations under subparagraph (A), be treated as sustained in the succeeding taxable year.
Special rule for identified straddles
In general
Identified straddle
Application to liabilities and obligations
Except as otherwise provided by the Secretary, rules similar to the rules of clauses (ii) and (iii) of subparagraph (A) shall apply for purposes of this paragraph with respect to any position which is, or has been, a liability or obligation.
Regulations
The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations or other guidance as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of this paragraph. Such regulations or other guidance may specify the proper methods for clearly identifying a straddle as an identified straddle (and for identifying the positions comprising such straddle), the rules for the application of this section to a taxpayer which fails to comply with those identification requirements, the rules for the application of this section to a position which is or has been a liability or obligation, methods of loss allocation which satisfy the requirements of subparagraph (A)(iii), and the ordering rules in cases where a taxpayer disposes (or otherwise ceases to be the holder) of any part of any position which is part of an identified straddle.
Unrecognized gain
In general
Special rule for identified straddles
For purposes of paragraph (2)(A)(ii), the unrecognized gain with respect to any offsetting position shall be the excess of the fair market value of the position at the time of the determination over the fair market value of the position at the time the taxpayer identified the position as a position in an identified straddle.
Reporting of gain
In general
Reports not required in certain cases
Regulations
In general
The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations with respect to gain or loss on positions which are a part of a straddle as may be appropriate to carry out the purposes of this section and section 263(g). To the extent consistent with such purposes, such regulations shall include rules applying the principles of subsections (a) and (d) of section 1091 and of subsections (b) and (d) of section 1233.
Regulations relating to mixed straddles
Elective provisions in lieu of section 1233(d) principles
Limitation on net gain or net loss from mixed straddle account
Not more than 50 percent of net gain may be treated as long-term capital gain
In no event shall more than 50 percent of the net gain from such account for any taxable year be treated as long-term capital gain.
Not more than 40 percent of net loss may be treated as short-term capital loss
In no event shall more than 40 percent of the net loss from such account for any taxable year be treated as short-term capital loss.
Authority to treat certain positions as mixed straddles
The regulations prescribed under paragraph (1) may treat as a mixed straddle positions not described in section 1256(d)(4).
Timing and character authority
The regulations prescribed under paragraph (1) shall include regulations relating to the timing and character of gains and losses in case of straddles where at least 1 position is ordinary and at least 1 position is capital.
Straddle defined
In general
The term “straddle” means offsetting positions with respect to personal property.
Offsetting positions
In general
A taxpayer holds offsetting positions with respect to personal property if there is a substantial diminution of the taxpayer’s risk of loss from holding any position with respect to personal property by reason of his holding 1 or more other positions with respect to personal property (whether or not of the same kind).
Special rule for identified straddles
In the case of any position which is not part of an identified straddle (within the meaning of subsection (a)(2)(B)), such position shall not be treated as offsetting with respect to any position which is part of an identified straddle.
Presumption
In general
Presumption may be rebutted
Any presumption established pursuant to subparagraph (A) may be rebutted.
Exception for certain straddles consisting of qualified covered call options and the optioned stock
In general
Qualified covered call option defined
Deep-in-the-money option
For purposes of subparagraph (B), the term “deep-in-the-money option” means an option having a strike price lower than the lowest qualified bench mark.
Lowest qualified bench mark
In general
Except as otherwise provided in this subparagraph, for purposes of subparagraph (C), the term “lowest qualified bench mark” means the highest available strike price which is less than the applicable stock price.
Special rule where option is for period more than 90 days and strike price exceeds $50
85 percent rule where applicable stock price $25 or less
Limitation where applicable stock price $150 or less
Special year-end rule
Strike price
For purposes of this paragraph, the term “strike price” means the price at which the option is exercisable.
Applicable stock price
Regulations
The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of this paragraph. Such regulations may include modifications to the provisions of this paragraph which are appropriate to take account of changes in the practices of option exchanges or to prevent the use of options for tax avoidance purposes.
Definitions and special rules
Personal property
The term “personal property” means any personal property of a type which is actively traded.
Position
The term “position” means an interest (including a futures or forward contract or option) in personal property.
Special rules for stock
In general
Rule for application
For purposes of determining whether subsection (e) applies to any transaction with respect to stock described in subparagraph (A)(ii), all includible corporations of an affiliated group (within the meaning of section 1504(a)) shall be treated as 1 taxpayer.
Positions held by related persons, etc.
In general
In determining whether 2 or more positions are offsetting, the taxpayer shall be treated as holding any position held by a related person.
Related person
Certain flowthrough entities
If part or all of the gain or loss with respect to a position held by a partnership, trust, or other entity would properly be taken into account for purposes of this chapter by a taxpayer, then, except to the extent otherwise provided in regulations, such position shall be treated as held by the taxpayer.
Special rule for section 1256 contracts
General rule
In the case of a straddle at least 1 (but not all) of the positions of which are section 1256 contracts, the provisions of this section shall apply to any section 1256 contract and any other position making up such straddle.
Special rule for identified straddles
For purposes of subsection (a)(2) (relating to identified straddles), subparagraph (A) and section 1256(a)(4) shall not apply to a straddle all of the offsetting positions of which consist of section 1256 contracts.
Section 1256 contract
The term “section 1256 contract” has the meaning given such term by section 1256(b).
Special rules for foreign currency
Position to include interest in certain debt
For purposes of paragraph (2), an obligor’s interest in a nonfunctional currency denominated debt obligation is treated as a position in the nonfunctional currency.
Actively traded requirement
For purposes of paragraph (1), foreign currency for which there is an active interbank market is presumed to be actively traded.
Special rules for physically settled positions
Exception for hedging transactions
This section shall not apply in the case of any hedging transaction (as defined in section 1256(e)).
Treatment of gain or loss and suspension of holding period where taxpayer grantor of qualified covered call option
Treatment of loss
Any loss with respect to such option shall be treated as long-term capital loss if, at the time such loss is realized, gain on the sale or exchange of such stock would be treated as long-term capital gain.
Suspension of holding period
The holding period of such stock shall not include any period during which the taxpayer is the grantor of such option.
Cross reference
For provision requiring capitalization of certain interest and carrying charges where there is a straddle, see section 263(g).
Pub. L. 97–34, title V, § 501(a)95 Stat. 323Pub. L. 97–448, title I, § 105(a)(1)(A)96 Stat. 2384Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title I98 Stat. 616–619Pub. L. 99–514, title III, § 331(a)100 Stat. 2220Pub. L. 100–647, title VI, § 6130(c)102 Stat. 3719Pub. L. 105–34, title XII, § 1271(b)(9)111 Stat. 1037Pub. L. 106–170, title V, § 532(c)(1)(F)113 Stat. 1930Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(7) [title IV, § 401(e)]114 Stat. 2763Pub. L. 108–357, title VIII, § 888(a)118 Stat. 1642Pub. L. 109–135, title IV, § 403(ii)119 Stat. 2632Pub. L. 110–172, § 7(d)121 Stat. 2482Pub. L. 115–141, div. U, title IV, § 401(a)(170)132 Stat. 1192(Added , , ; amended –(C), (2)–(4), , , 2385; , §§ 101(a)–(d), 102(e)(2), 103(a), 107(a), , , 624, 627, 629; , title XII, § 1261(b), title XVIII, §§ 1808(c), 1899A(66), , , 2591, 2817, 2962; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , , 2763A–649; –(c)(1), , , 1643; , , ; , , ; , (171), , .)
Editorial Notes
Amendments
Pub. L. 115–141, § 401(a)(170)2018—Subsec. (a)(2)(B). , substituted “with respect to other” for “with respect other” in concluding provisions.
Pub. L. 115–141, § 401(a)(171)Subsec. (c)(4)(E). , struck out “(other than subparagraph (B) thereof)” after “paragraphs (3)” in concluding provisions.
Pub. L. 110–172, § 7(d)(2)(B)(i)2007—Subsec. (a)(2)(A)(i). , substituted “positions” for “identified positions”.
Pub. L. 110–172, § 7(d)(2)(B)(ii)Subsec. (a)(2)(A)(ii). , (iii), substituted “any position” for “any identified position” and “the offsetting positions” for “the identified offsetting positions”.
Pub. L. 110–172, § 7(d)(1), struck out “and” at end.
Pub. L. 110–172, § 7(d)(1)Subsec. (a)(2)(A)(iii), (iv). , added cl. (iii) and redesignated former cl. (iii) as (iv).
Pub. L. 110–172, § 7(d)(2)(A)Subsec. (a)(2)(B). , inserted concluding provisions.
Pub. L. 110–172, § 7(d)(3)Subsec. (a)(2)(C), (D). , (4), added subpar. (C), redesignated former subpar. (C) as (D), and inserted “the rules for the application of this section to a position which is or has been a liability or obligation, methods of loss allocation which satisfy the requirements of subparagraph (A)(iii),” before “and the ordering rules” in subpar. (D).
Pub. L. 110–172, § 7(d)(2)(C)Subsec. (a)(3)(B). , substituted “offsetting position” for “identified offsetting position”.
Pub. L. 109–1352005—Subsec. (a)(2). added subpar. (C) and struck out concluding provisions of subpar. (B) which read as follows: “The Secretary shall prescribe regulations which specify the proper methods for clearly identifying a straddle as an identified straddle (and the positions comprising such straddle), which specify the rules for the application of this section for a taxpayer which fails to properly identify the positions of an identified straddle, and which specify the ordering rules in cases where a taxpayer disposes of less than an entire position which is part of an identified straddle.”
Pub. L. 108–357, § 888(a)(1)2004—Subsec. (a)(2)(A). , reenacted heading without change and amended text of subpar. (A) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “In the case of any straddle which is an identified straddle as of the close of any taxable year—
“(i) paragraph (1) shall not apply for such taxable year, and
“(ii) any loss with respect to such straddle shall be treated as sustained not earlier than the day on which all of the positions making up the straddle are disposed of.”
Pub. L. 108–357, § 888(a)(2)(B)Subsec. (a)(2)(B). , inserted concluding provisions.
Pub. L. 108–357, § 888(a)(2)(A)Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(ii). , added cl. (ii) and struck out former cl. (ii) which read as follows: “all of the original positions of which (as identified by the taxpayer) are acquired on the same day and with respect to which—
“(I) all of such positions are disposed of on the same day during the taxable year, or
“(II) none of such positions has been disposed of as of the close of the taxable year, and”.
Pub. L. 108–357, § 888(a)(3)Subsec. (a)(3)(B), (C). , added subpar. (B) and redesignated former subpar. (B) as (C).
Pub. L. 108–357, § 888(a)(4)Subsec. (c)(2)(B), (C). , redesignated subpar. (C) as (B) and struck out heading and text of former subpar. (B). Text read as follows: “If 1 or more positions offset only a portion of 1 or more other positions, the Secretary shall by regulations prescribe the method for determining the portion of such other positions which is to be taken into account for purposes of this section.”
Pub. L. 108–357, § 888(c)(1)Subsec. (d)(3). , reenacted heading without change and amended text of par. (3) generally, substituting provisions directing that the term “personal property” includes stock only if it is of a certain type or of a certain type of corporation and setting forth rule for application of subsec. (e), for provisions directing that the term “personal property” includes any stock which is part of a straddle at least 1 of the offsetting positions of which is an option, a securities futures contract, or a position with respect to substantially similar or related property (other than stock), and of a certain type of corporation, and setting forth special rules relating to application of subsecs. (c), (d)(4), and (e).
Pub. L. 108–357, § 888(b)Subsec. (d)(8). , added par. (8).
Pub. L. 106–5542000—Subsec. (d)(3)(B)(i)(II), (III). added subcl. (II) and redesignated former subcl. (II) as (III).
Pub. L. 106–1701999—Subsec. (a)(3)(B)(ii)(II). substituted “1221(a)” for “1221”.
Pub. L. 105–341997—Subsec. (f)(2). substituted “The” for “Except for purposes of section 851(b)(3), the”.
Pub. L. 100–6471988—Subsec. (b)(2)(D). added subpar. (D).
Pub. L. 99–514, § 331(a)1986—Subsec. (c)(4)(E). , in cl. (i), inserted “or the stock is disposed of at a loss”, in cl. (ii), substituted “or gains on such options are” for “is”, and in cl. (iii), inserted “or option” and “or the disposition of such stock”.
Pub. L. 99–514, § 1808(c)Subsec. (d)(3)(A). , inserted at end “The preceding sentence shall not apply to any interest in stock.”
Pub. L. 99–514, § 1899A(66)section 101(b)(2) of Pub. L. 98–369Pub. L. 98–369Subsec. (d)(5), (6). , amended directory language of to clarify general amendment by sections 101(d) and 102(e) of . See 1984 Amendment notes below.
Pub. L. 99–514, § 1261(b)Subsec. (d)(7). , added par. (7).
Pub. L. 98–369, § 107(a)1984—Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(i). , designated existing provisions as subcl. (I) and added subcl. (II).
Pub. L. 98–369, § 103(a)Subsec. (b). , amended subsec. (b) generally, substituting provisions dealing with regulations for provisions dealing with character of gain or loss and wash sales.
Pub. L. 98–369, § 101(a)(2)Subsec. (c)(4). , added par. (4).
Pub. L. 98–369, § 101(b)(1)Subsec. (d)(1). , struck out “(other than stock)” before “of a type”.
Pub. L. 98–369, § 101(a)(1)Subsec. (d)(2). , redesignated former subpar. (A) as entire par. (2), and struck out former subpar. (B) which provided that “position” includes any stock option which is a part of a straddle and which is an option to buy or sell stock which is actively traded, but does not include a stock option which (i) is traded on a domestic exchange or on a similar foreign exchange designated by the Secretary, and (ii) is of a type with respect to which the maximum period during which such option may be exercised is less than the minimum period for which a capital asset must be held for gain to be treated as long-term capital gain under section 1222(3).
Pub. L. 98–369, § 101(b)(2)Pub. L. 99–514, § 1899A(66)Subsec. (d)(3), (4). , as amended by , added par. (3) and redesignated former pars. (3) and (4) as (4) and (5), respectively.
Pub. L. 98–369, § 101(d)Subsec. (d)(5). , amended par. (4) generally, substituting provisions relating to special rules for section 1256 contracts for provisions relating to special rules for regulated futures contracts.
Pub. L. 98–369, § 101(b)(2)Pub. L. 99–514, § 1899A(66), as amended by , redesignated former par. (4) as (5). Former par. (5) redesignated (6).
Pub. L. 98–369, § 102(e)(2)Subsec. (d)(6). , amended par. (5) generally, substituting references to section 1256 contracts for references to regulated futures contracts wherever appearing in heading and text.
Pub. L. 98–369, § 101(b)(2)Pub. L. 99–514, § 1899A(66), as amended by , redesignated former par. (5) as (6).
Pub. L. 98–369, § 101(c)Subsecs. (f), (g). , added subsec. (f) and redesignated former subsec. (f) as (g).
Pub. L. 97–448, § 105(a)(1)(A)1983—Subsec. (a)(1)(A). , (2), substituted “unrecognized gain” for “unrealized gain” and “which were offsetting positions with respect to 1 or more positions from which the loss arose” for “which— (i) were acquired by the taxpayer before the disposition giving rise to such loss, (ii) were offsetting positions with respect to the 1 or more positions from which the loss arose, and (iii) were not part of an identified straddle as of the close of the taxable year”.
Pub. L. 97–448, § 105(a)(1)(B)Subsec. (a)(3). , substituted “Unrecognized gain” for “Unrealized gain” in heading.
Pub. L. 97–448, § 105(a)(1)(B)Subsec. (a)(3)(A). , substituted “unrecognized gain” for “unrealized gain” as term defined, designated existing definition as cl. (i), and added cl. (ii).
Pub. L. 97–448, § 105(a)(1)(C)Subsec. (a)(3)(B)(i)(I). , substituted “with respect to which, as of the close of the taxable year, there is unrecognized gain, and” for “which is held by such taxpayer as of the close of the taxable year and with respect to which there is unrealized gain, and”.
Pub. L. 97–448, § 105(a)(1)(C)Subsec. (a)(3)(B)(i)(II). , substituted “unrecognized gain” for “unrealized gain”.
Pub. L. 97–448, § 105(a)(4)Subsec. (c)(2)(C). , substituted “subsection (a)(2)(B)” for “subsection (a)(3)(B)”.
Pub. L. 97–448, § 105(a)(3)Subsec. (d)(4). , substituted “a straddle at least 1 (but not all) of the positions of which are regulated futures contracts, the provisions of this section shall apply” for “a straddle— (A) at lease 1 (but not all) of the positions of which are regulated futures contracts, and (B) with respect to which the taxpayer has elected not to have the provisions of section 1256 apply, the provisions of this section shall apply”.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2007 Amendment
Pub. L. 110–172, § 7(e)121 Stat. 2483
In general .—
Identification requirement of amendment related to section 888 of the american jobs creation act of 2004 .—
Effective Date of 2005 Amendment
Pub. L. 109–135Pub. L. 108–357section 403(nn) of Pub. L. 109–135section 26 of this titleAmendment by effective as if included in the provision of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, , to which such amendment relates, see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
Pub. L. 108–357section 888(e) of Pub. L. 108–357section 246 of this titleAmendment by applicable to positions established on or after , see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Pub. L. 106–170section 532(d) of Pub. L. 106–170section 170 of this titleAmendment by applicable to any instrument held, acquired, or entered into, any transaction entered into, and supplies held or acquired on or after , see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Pub. L. 105–34section 1271(c) of Pub. L. 105–34section 817 of this titleAmendment by applicable to taxable years beginning after , see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Pub. L. 100–647section 6130(d)(1) of Pub. L. 100–647section 988 of this titleAmendment by applicable with respect to forward contracts, future contracts, options, and similar instruments entered into or acquired after , see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Pub. L. 99–514, title III, § 331(b)100 Stat. 2221
section 1261(b) of Pub. L. 99–514section 1261(e) of Pub. L. 99–514section 985 of this titleAmendment by applicable to taxable years beginning after , with certain exceptions and qualifications, see , set out as an Effective Date note under .
section 1808(c) of Pub. L. 99–514Pub. L. 98–369, div. Asection 1881 of Pub. L. 99–514section 48 of this titleAmendment by effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1984, , to which such amendment relates, see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title I, § 101(e)98 Stat. 619
In general .—
Special rule for offsetting position stock .—
Subsection (c).—
Subsection (d).—
section 102(e)(2) of Pub. L. 98–369Pub. L. 98–369section 1256 of this titleAmendment by applicable to positions established after , in taxable years ending after that date, except as otherwise provided, see section 102(f), (g) of , set out as a note under .
Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title I, § 103(b)98 Stat. 628Pub. L. 99–514, § 2100 Stat. 2095
Requirement That Regulations Be Issued Within Months After the Date of Enactment 6.—
Effective Date of Regulations With Respect to Mixed Straddles .—
Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title I, § 107(e)98 Stat. 630
Effective Date of 1983 Amendment
Pub. L. 97–448Pub. L. 97–34section 109 of Pub. L. 97–448section 1 of this titleAmendment by effective, except as otherwise provided, as if it had been included in the provision of the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981, , to which such amendment relates, see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date
Pub. L. 97–34, title V, § 50895 Stat. 333Pub. L. 99–514, § 2100 Stat. 2095
In General .—
Identification Requirements.—
Under section 1236 of code.—
Under section 1256(c) of code.— (e)(2)
Election With Respect to Property Held on June 23, 1981.—
Plan Amendments Not Required Until January 1, 1989
Pub. L. 99–514section 1140 of Pub. L. 99–514section 401 of this titleFor provisions directing that if any amendments made by subtitle A or subtitle C of title XI [§§ 1101–1147 and 1171–1177] or title XVIII [§§ 1800–1899A] of require an amendment to any plan, such plan amendment shall not be required to be made before the first plan year beginning on or after , see , as amended, set out as a note under .
Treatment of Certain Losses on Straddles Entered Into Before Effective Date of Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981
Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title I, § 10898 Stat. 630Pub. L. 99–514, § 2100 Stat. 2095