General rule
Limitation on tax applicable to individuals
Determination of earnings and profits
In general
Except as provided in section 312(k)(4), for purposes of this section, the earnings and profits of any foreign corporation for any taxable year shall be determined according to rules substantially similar to those applicable to domestic corporations, under regulations prescribed by the Secretary.
Earnings and profits of subsidiaries of foreign corporations
Exclusions from earnings and profits
Amounts included in gross income under section 951
Earnings and profits of the foreign corporation attributable to any amount previously included in the gross income of such person under section 951, with respect to the stock sold or exchanged, but only to the extent the inclusion of such amount did not result in an exclusion of an amount from gross income under section 959.
Pub. L. 100–647, title I, § 1006(e)(14)(A)102 Stat. 3402 Repealed. , , ]
Less developed country corporations under prior law
Earnings and profits of a foreign corporation which were accumulated during any taxable year beginning before , while such corporation was a less developed country corporation under section 902(d) as in effect before the enactment of the Tax Reduction Act of 1975.
United States income
Foreign trade income
Amounts included in gross income under section 1293
Earnings and profits of the foreign corporation attributable to any amount previously included in the gross income of such person under section 1293 with respect to the stock sold or exchanged, but only to the extent the inclusion of such amount did not result in an exclusion of an amount under section 1293(c).
Sales or exchanges of stock in certain domestic corporations
Certain nonrecognition transactions
In general
Exception for certain distributions
Application to cases described in subsection (e)
To the extent that earnings and profits are taken into account under this subsection, they shall be excluded and not taken into account for purposes of subsection (e).
Exceptions
Taxpayer to establish earnings and profits
Unless the taxpayer establishes the amount of the earnings and profits of the foreign corporation to be taken into account under subsection (a) or (f), all gain from the sale or exchange shall be considered a dividend under subsection (a) or (f), and unless the taxpayer establishes the amount of foreign taxes to be taken into account under subsection (b), the limitation of such subsection shall not apply.
Treatment of certain indirect transfers
In general
10-percent corporate shareholder defined
For purposes of this subsection, the term “10-percent corporate shareholder” means any domestic corporation which, as of the day before the exchange referred to in paragraph (1), satisfies the stock ownership requirements of subsection (a)(2) with respect to the foreign corporation.
Coordination with dividends received deduction
In the case of the sale or exchange by a domestic corporation of stock in a foreign corporation held for 1 year or more, any amount received by the domestic corporation which is treated as a dividend by reason of this section shall be treated as a dividend for purposes of applying section 245A.
Cross reference
For provision excluding amounts previously taxed under this section from gross income when subsequently distributed, see section 959(e).
Pub. L. 87–834, § 15(a)76 Stat. 1041Pub. L. 89–809, title I, § 104(k)80 Stat. 1562Pub. L. 91–172, title IV, § 442(b)(2)83 Stat. 628Pub. L. 94–455, title X90 Stat. 1619Pub. L. 97–448, title I, § 102(c)(1)96 Stat. 2370Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title I, § 133(a)98 Stat. 667Pub. L. 99–514, title VI, § 631(d)(2)100 Stat. 2272Pub. L. 100–647, title I102 Stat. 3402Pub. L. 104–188, title I, § 1702(g)(1)110 Stat. 1872Pub. L. 108–357, title IV, § 413(c)(22)118 Stat. 1509Pub. L. 110–172, § 11(g)(17)121 Stat. 2491Pub. L. 115–97, title I, § 14102(a)(1)131 Stat. 2192(Added , , ; amended , , ; , , ; , §§ 1022(a), 1042(b), (c)(1), (3), title XIV, § 1402(b)(1)(Y), (2), title XIX, §§ 1901(b)(3)(H), (32)(B)(iii), 1906(b)(13)(A), , , 1636, 1637, 1732, 1793, 1800, 1834; , , ; , (b)(2), (c), title VIII, § 801(d)(6), title X, § 1001(b)(22), (e), , , 668, 996, 1012; , title XVIII, §§ 1810(i)(1), 1875(g)(1), 1876(a)(2), , , 2829, 2897; , §§ 1006(e)(14), 1012(p)(19), , , 3518; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , .)
Editorial Notes
References in Text
section 902(d) of this titlePub. L. 94–12, title VI, § 602(c)(6)89 Stat. 59Pub. L. 99–514, title XII, § 1202(a)100 Stat. 2528Pub. L. 115–97, title I, § 14301(a)131 Stat. 2221Section 902(d) as in effect before the enactment of the Tax Reduction Act of 1975, referred to in subsec. (d)(3), means as in effect before the amendment made by , , . Section 902 was subsequently amended generally by , , , and repealed by , , .
Pub. L. 106–519114 Stat. 2423section 1 of this titleThe FSC Repeal and Extraterritorial Income Exclusion Act of 2000, referred to in subsec. (d)(5), is , , . For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 2000 Amendments note set out under and Tables.
Amendments
Pub. L. 115–972017—Subsecs. (j), (k). added subsec. (j) and redesignated former subsec. (j) as (k).
Pub. L. 110–1722007—Subsec. (d)(5). inserted “(as defined in section 922)” after “a FSC” in introductory provisions and inserted second sentence in concluding provisions.
Pub. L. 108–3572004—Subsec. (d)(5) to (7). redesignated pars. (6) and (7) as (5) and (6), respectively, and struck out heading and text of former par. (5). Text read as follows: “If the United States person whose stock is sold or exchanged was a qualified shareholder (as defined in section 1247(c)) of a foreign corporation which was a foreign investment company (as described in section 1246(b)(1)), the earnings and profits of the foreign corporation for taxable years in which such person was a qualified shareholder.”
Pub. L. 104–188, § 1702(g)(1)(A)(ii)1996—Subsec. (a). , in closing provisions inserted at end “For purposes of this section, a United States person shall be treated as having sold or exchanged any stock if, under any provision of this subtitle, such person is treated as realizing gain from the sale or exchange of such stock.”
Pub. L. 104–188, § 1702(g)(1)(A)(i)Subsec. (a)(1). , struck out “, or if a United States person receives a distribution from a foreign corporation which, under section 302 or 331, is treated as an exchange of stock” after “in a foreign corporation”.
Pub. L. 104–188, § 1702(g)(1)(B)Subsec. (e)(1). , struck out “, or receives a distribution from a domestic corporation which, under section 302 or 331, is treated as an exchange of stock” after “of a domestic corporation”.
Pub. L. 104–188, § 1702(g)(1)(C)Subsec. (f)(1)(B). , substituted “355(c)(1), or 361(c)(1)” for “or 361(c)(1)”.
Pub. L. 104–188, § 1702(g)(1)(D)Subsec. (i)(1). , reenacted heading without change and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “If any shareholder of a 10-percent corporate shareholder of a foreign corporation exchanges stock of the 10-percent corporate shareholder for stock of the foreign corporation, for purposes of this section, the stock of the foreign corporation received in such exchange shall be treated as if it had been—
“(A) issued to the 10-percent corporate shareholder, and
“(B) then distributed by the 10-percent corporate shareholder to such shareholder in redemption or liquidation (whichever is appropriate).”
Pub. L. 100–647, § 1006(e)(14)(A)1988—Subsec. (d)(2). , struck out par. (2) which related to gain realized from sale or exchange of property in pursuance of plan of complete liquidation.
Pub. L. 100–647, § 1012(p)(19)Subsec. (d)(7). , added par. (7).
Pub. L. 100–647, § 1006(e)(14)(E)Subsec. (f). , substituted “nonrecognition” for “section 311, 336, or 337” in heading.
Pub. L. 100–647, § 1006(e)(14)(C)Subsec. (f)(1). , struck out “, sale, or exchange” after “(h), a distribution” in last sentence.
Pub. L. 100–647, § 1006(e)(14)(B)Subsec. (f)(1)(B). , amended subpar. (B) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (B) read as follows: “such domestic corporation distributes, sells, or exchanges stock of such foreign corporation in a transaction to which section 311, 336, or 337 applies,”.
Pub. L. 100–647, § 1006(e)(14)(D)Subsec. (f)(3), (4). , redesignated par. (4) as (3) and struck out former par. (3) which related to nonapplication of paragraph (1) in certain cases.
Pub. L. 99–514, § 1876(a)(2)1986—Subsec. (d)(6). , amended par. (6) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (6) read as follows: “Earnings and profits of the foreign corporation attributable to foreign trade income (within the meaning of section 923(b)) of a FSC.”
Pub. L. 99–514, § 631(d)(2)(A)Subsec. (e). , substituted “Except as provided in regulations” for “Under regulations”.
Pub. L. 99–514, § 631(d)(2)(B)Subsec. (f). , inserted “Except as provided in regulations prescribed by the Secretary—” after heading.
Pub. L. 99–514, § 1875(g)(1)Subsec. (g). , inserted “or” at end of par. (1), redesignated par. (3) as (2), and struck out former par. (2) which read as follows: “gain realized on exchanges to which section 356 (relating to receipt of additional consideration in certain reorganizations) applies; or”.
Pub. L. 99–514, § 1810(i)(1)Subsec. (i)(1)(B). , substituted “in redemption or liquidation (whichever is appropriate)” for “in redemption of his stock”.
Pub. L. 98–369, § 1001(b)(22)1984—Subsec. (b). , (e), substituted “6 months” for “1 year”, applicable to property acquired after , and before . See Effective Date of 1984 Amendment note below.
Pub. L. 98–369, § 133(c)Subsec. (c)(2)(D). , substituted “section 958(a)” for “section 958(a)(2)”.
Pub. L. 98–369, § 801(d)(6)Subsec. (d)(6). , added par. (6).
Pub. L. 98–369, § 1001(b)(22)Subsec. (g)(3)(C). , (e), substituted “6 months” for “1 year”, applicable to property acquired after , and before . See Effective Date of 1984 Amendment note below.
Pub. L. 98–369, § 133(a)Subsec. (i). , added subsec. (i).
Pub. L. 98–369, § 133(b)(2)Subsec. (j). , added subsec. (j).
Pub. L. 97–4481983—Subsec. (c)(1). substituted “section 312(k)(4)” for “section 312(k)(3)”.
Pub. L. 94–455, § 1906(b)(13)(A)1976—Subsec. (a). , struck out “or his delegate” after “Secretary”.
Pub. L. 94–455, § 1402(b)(2)Subsec. (b). , provided that “9 months” would be changed to “1 year”.
Pub. L. 94–455, § 1402(b)(1)(Y), provided that “6 months” would be changed to “9 months” for taxable years beginning in 1977.
Pub. L. 94–455Subsec. (c)(1). , §§ 1901(b)(32)(B)(iii), 1906(b)(13(A), substituted “section 312(k)” for “section 312(m)(3)”, and struck out “or his delegate” after “Secretary”.
Pub. L. 94–455, § 1042(c)(3)(A)Subsec. (c)(2)(A). , substituted “subsection (a) or (f) applies to a sale, exchange, or distribution” for “subsection (a) applies to a sale or exchange”.
Pub. L. 94–455, § 1042(b)Subsec. (c)(2)(C). , inserted “(or on the date of any sale or exchange of the stock of such other foreign corporation occurring during the 5–year period ending on the date of the sale or exchange of the stock of such foreign corporation, to the extent not otherwise taken into account under this section but not in excess of the fair market value of the stock of such other foreign corporation sold or exchanged over the basis of such stock (for determining gain) in the hands of the transferor)”. § 1906(b)(13)(A), struck out “or his delegate” after “Secretary”.
Pub. L. 94–455, § 1906(b)(13)(A)Subsec. (d)(2). , struck out “or his delegate” after “Secretary”.
Pub. L. 94–455, § 1022(a)Subsec. (d)(3). , substituted provisions of par. (3) relating to “Less developed country corporations under prior law” and reading “Earnings and profits of a foreign corporation which were accumulated during any taxable year beginning before , while such corporation was a less developed country corporation under section 902(d) as in effect before the enactment of the Tax Reduction Act of 1975” for prior par. (3) relating to “Less developed country corporations” and reading “Earnings and profits accumulated by a foreign corporation while it was a less developed country corporation (as defined in section 902(d)), if the stock sold or exchanged was owned for a continuous period of at least 10 years, ending with the date of the sale or exchange, by the United States person who sold or exchanged such stock. In the case of stock sold or exchanged by a corporation, if United States persons who are individuals, estates, or trusts (each of whom owned within the meaning of section 958(a), or were considered as owning by applying the rules of ownership of section 958(b), 10 percent or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote of such corporation) owned, or were considered as owning, at any time during the 10-year period ending on the date of the sale or exchange more than 50 percent of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote such corporation, this paragraph shall apply only if such United States persons owned, or were considered as owning, at all times during the remainder of such 10-year period more than 50 percent of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote of such corporation. For purposes of this paragraph, stock owned by a United States person who is an individual, estate, or trust which was acquired by reason of the death of the predecessor in interest of such United States person shall be considered as owned by such United States person during the period such stock was owned by such predecessor in interest, and during the period such stock was owned by any other predecessor in interest if between such United States person and such other predecessor in interest there was no transfer other than by reason of the death of an individual.”
Pub. L. 94–455, § 1906(b)(13)(A)Subsec. (e). , struck out “or his delegate” after “Secretary”.
Pub. L. 94–455, § 1042(c)(1)Subsec. (f). , added subsec. (f). Former subsec. (f) redesignated (g).
Pub. L. 94–455Subsec. (g). , §§ 1042(c)(1), (3)(B), 1901(b)(3)(H), redesignated former subsec. (f) as (g); inserted “(other than an amount treated as a dividend under subsection (f))” in par. (3)(A); and substituted in par. (3)(B) “ordinary income” for “gain from the sale of an asset which is not a capital asset”, respectively. Former subsec. (g) redesignated (h).
Pub. L. 94–455, § 1402(b)(2)Subsec. (g)(3)(C). , provided that “9 months” would be changed to “1 year”.
Pub. L. 94–455, § 1402(b)(1)(Y), provided that “6 months” would be changed to “9 months” for taxable years beginning in 1977.
Pub. L. 94–455, § 1042(c)(1)Subsec. (h). , (3)(C), redesignated former subsec. (g) as (h) and inserted reference to subsec. (f) in two places.
Pub. L. 91–1721969—Subsec. (c)(1). inserted reference to the exception provided for in section 312(m)(3).
Pub. L. 89–8091966—Subsec. (d)(4). provided that for taxable years beginning after , the earnings and profits of the foreign corporation, for purposes of this section, is not to include income effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the United States, and inserted provision that the exclusion does not apply to income which is exempt from tax or subject to a reduced rate of tax pursuant to a treaty.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2017 Amendment
Pub. L. 115–97, title I, § 14102(a)(2)131 Stat. 2192
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
Pub. L. 108–357section 413(d)(1) of Pub. L. 108–357section 1 of this titleAmendment by applicable to taxable years of foreign corporations beginning after , and to taxable years of United States shareholders with or within which such taxable years of foreign corporations end, see , set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 2004 Amendments note under .
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Pub. L. 104–188Pub. L. 101–508, title XIsection 1702(i) of Pub. L. 104–188section 38 of this titleAmendment by effective, except as otherwise expressly provided, as if included in the provision of the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1990, , to which such amendment relates, see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Pub. L. 100–647Pub. L. 99–514section 1019(a) of Pub. L. 100–647section 1 of this titleAmendment by effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provision of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, , to which such amendment relates, see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
section 631(d)(2) of Pub. L. 99–514section 338 of this titlesection 633 of Pub. L. 99–514section 336 of this titleAmendment by applicable to any distribution in complete liquidation, and any sale or exchange, made by a corporation after , unless such corporation is completely liquidated before , any transaction described in for which the acquisition date occurs after , and any distribution, not in complete liquidation, made after , with exceptions and special and transitional rules, see , set out as an Effective Date note under .
Pub. L. 99–514, title XVIII, § 1875(g)(2)100 Stat. 2897
Pub. L. 99–514Pub. L. 98–369, div. Asection 1881 of Pub. L. 99–514section 48 of this titleAmendment by sections 1810(i)(1) and 1876(a)(2) of 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, § 133(d)(1)98 Stat. 668
Pub. L. 98–369Pub. L. 98–369section 959 of this titleAmendment by section 133(b)(2), (c) of applicable with respect to transactions to which subsec. (a) or (f) of this section applies occurring after , with election of earlier date for certain transactions, see section 133(d)(2), (3) of , set out as a note under .
section 801(d)(6) of Pub. L. 98–369section 805(a)(1) of Pub. L. 98–369section 245 of this titleAmendment by applicable to transactions after , in taxable years ending after such date, see , as amended, set out as a note under .
section 1001(b)(22) of Pub. L. 98–369section 1001(e) of Pub. L. 98–369section 166 of this titleAmendment by applicable to property acquired after , and before , see , set out as a note under .
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 of 1976 Amendment
Pub. L. 94–455, title X, § 1022(b)90 Stat. 1619
section 1042 of Pub. L. 94–455section 1042(e) of Pub. L. 94–455section 367 of this titleFor effective date of amendment by , see , set out as a note under .
Pub. L. 94–455, title XIV, § 1402(b)(1)90 Stat. 1731, , , provided that the amendment made by that section is effective with respect to taxable years beginning in 1977.
Pub. L. 94–455, title XIV, § 1402(b)(2)90 Stat. 1732, , , provided that the amendment made by that section is effective with respect to taxable years beginning after .
Pub. L. 94–455section 1901(d) of Pub. L. 94–455section 2 of this titleAmendment by section 1901(b)(3)(H), (32)(B)(iii) of effective for taxable years beginning after , see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 1966 Amendment
Pub. L. 89–809section 104(n) of Pub. L. 89–809section 11 of this titleAmendment by applicable with respect to sales or exchanges occurring after , see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date
Pub. L. 87–834, § 15(c)76 Stat. 1044
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 .
Transitional Rule
Pub. L. 99–514, title XVIII, § 1875(g)(3)100 Stat. 2897